John and Mark X. Cronin, co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks, ended a recent trip to Washington D.C. by attending the Caring with Congress Reception held by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). John is a member of the Board of NDSS and this gave him the opportunity to meet with members of Congress, other NDSS Board members and supporters of NDSS.
John Meets with Members of Congress
At the reception, John met with Congressman Pete Sessions of Texas. They connected over the fact that the Congressman has a son, Alex, who is the same age as John and also has Down syndrome.
John and his father also spent time with Congressman Pete Stauber from Minnesota. The Congressman also has a son with Down syndrome, 15-year-old Isaac. Mark and the Congressman shared stories of how much they have learned from their sons. They also talked about Hibbing, Minnesota, a town in the Congressman’s district and the hometown of Bob Dylan [Mark is a Bob Dylan fan].
Connecting with the National Down Syndrome Society
John particularly enjoyed spending time with his friends and NDSS staffers, Kayla McKeon, the Director of Grassroots Advocacy, and Charlotte Woodward, an Educational Associate. Like John, Kayla and Charlotte have Down syndrome. One of the ways that NDSS leads the way is by employing people with Down syndrome and having people with Down syndrome on their Board.
The leadership at NDSS are some of John’s favorite people in the world including CEO Kandi Pickard, Chief of Staff Colleen Hatcher, Communications Manager Michelle Sagan, Policy Manger Anna Fedewa, Employment Programs Manager Amanda Rioux and Programs Manager, Ryan Rotundo. They do such great work advocating for people with Down syndrome. John, who is a Mets fan, particularly likes talking baseball with Colleen, who is a Red Sox fan.
John’s Crazy Socks and NDSS
John and John’s Crazy Socks support NDSS not only through our donations, but in many other ways. In 2019, John joined the Board of the National Down Syndrome Society.
John and his father, Mark X. Cronin, are part of the NDSS Ambassador’s Program and Mark served as the Captain for the New York team at the most recent Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. John and Mark participate in the advocacy and lobbying program supported by NDSS.
Down Syndrome Awareness Socks
John Cronin designed and created the world’s first Down Syndrome Awareness Socks in 2017. Since that time, John has designed many new Down syndrome-themed socks and products, including throw blankets so that John’s Crazy Socks now has a full line of Down Syndrome Awareness products. John’s favorite socks are the Down Syndrome Super Hero Socks. Come holiday time, John’s Crazy Socks creates a holiday Down Syndrome Super Box that has products made by companies led by or employing people with Down syndrome.
We donate money from the sale of those socks and products to the National Down Syndrome Society.
John’s Crazy Socks offers a Buddy Walk® sock that raises money for the Buddy Walk® Program. John never misses the NYC Buddy Walk®. John’s Crazy Socks also sponsors a Buddy Walk Fundraising Program that helps local Buddy Walk organizers raise money.
In addition to donations from Down syndrome-themed products, John’s Crazy Socks has helped sponsor the NYC Buddy Walk®and donates “Design a Sock with John” for auction at the annual NDSS Gala.
About the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
TheNational Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. Founded in 1979, NDSS supports and advocates for the Down syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Policy & Advocacy, and Community Engagement. Within these focus areas NDSS engages in various activities, events, and programs on topics that are critical to our community such as federal and state advocacy and public policy, health and wellness, education, and employment. NDSS creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan and hosts awareness and engagement events throughout the country including the National Buddy Walk® Program, the Times Square Video presentation and New York City Buddy Walk®, Racing for 3.21 on World Down Syndrome Day, Run for 3.21, DC Golf Outing, the annual NDSS Gala & Auction, and various other events. Visitwww.ndss.org for more information about NDSS.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $625,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
