Each year, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) shows a video of people with Down syndrome on a giant billboard in Times Square. The video runs for an hour and features 500 photograms of adults, teens and children with Down syndrome. The video celebrates people with Down syndrome and serves as both a way for people to come together and celebrate and as a way to show the world the beauty and strength of people with Down syndrome.
Hundreds of people from across the country and around the world gather in Times Square for the video and John Cronin, founder of John’s Crazy Socks, and his family were among those joining the fun. John connected with friends like Brndon Gruber, the leadership of NDSS like CEO Kandi Pickard and Chief of Staff Colleen Hatcher and great supporters like Mark Tremonti from the band Creed.
“I love the Time Square video,” said John. “It is so beautiful and wonderful and shows what people with Down syndrome can do. And I love the celebration in Times Square; I see so many old friends and make new friends too. I would never miss the Times Square video.”
John’s picture has been part of the video for the last several years, but this year, he did not submit a photo for the video. “NDSS receives more photos than they can fit into the video. I have seen my picture up on the billboard and I wanted other people to have a chance to see their picture in Times Square.”
John as a Role Model
Many families at the Times Square video celebration want to meet John. Many are supporters of John’s Crazy Socks. Many want to offer John support. And many seek him out for inspiration and encouragement. Often, when a family welcomes a child with Down syndrome, they are uncertain of their child’s future and seeing role models like John, who has started his own business and is a frequent public speaker, offers them hope and encouragement. It reminds them that a bright future awaits their child with Down syndrome.
John’s Crazy Socks and NDSS
John and John’s Crazy Socks support NDSS not only through 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 Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. John and Mark participate in the advocacy and lobbying program supported by NDSS.
John’s Crazy Socks held an event to promote and educate people about ABLE Accounts and were joined by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. NDSS co-sponsored that event. In fact, NDSS was instrumental in getting the initial ABLE Account law passed.
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 Superhero 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)
Founded in 1979, theNational Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities, and shifting public perceptions. NDSS engages grassroots advocates at the federal, state, and local levels and creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan on topics including education, employment, health and wellness, and aging. NDSS founded the National Buddy Walk® Program in 1995 and hosts community engagement events throughout the country including the New York City Buddy Walk® and Times Square Video, the NDSS Adult Summit, and the Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. Visitwww.ndss.org to learn more.
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 $640,000 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.
