This week, the school districts in New York held their annual budget votes and trustee elections. John Cronin, the co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, made the time to study the ballot choices and to vote at Huntington High School.
“Voting is important.” said John. “I want my voice to be heard so I make sure I vote.”
John makes sure he is an informed voter. He takes the time to read newspaper articles and the websites about the candidates and the budget vote. He carefully reads every word on the sample ballot.
“If I don’t understand something, I do more research or ask my parents for help,” said John. “It is important to get help when you need it, but in the end, it is my vote and my choice.” John added, “I tell people, it is with us, not for us. It is my life and my decisions.”
“The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.” – John Lewis, late U.S. Congressman
Inclusion Means Every Voice is Heard
John Cronin is an engaged citizen and never misses an opportunity to vote. He wants to make sure his voice is heard and that starts at the ballot box.
John wants to show what is possible, he wants to show what people with differing abilities can do. Voting is an essential part of citizenship and John demonstrates that people with differing abilities are engaged citizens.
And John advocates for the rights of people with differing abilities. He fights for the inclusion of all people in our public affairs. John has testified twice before the U.S. Congress and traveled to the State Capitol in Albany to meet with legislators. He routinely meets with members of Congress in Washington D.C. and in their district offices.
“Everything starts with the vote,” says John. There is no better place to make one’s voice heard than in our elections. When we fail to vote, we get elected officials we do not want and we get elected officials who can ignore us because we don’t vote. John votes to be heard and to hold elected officials accountable.
“Vote as if your life depended on it… because it does.” – Justin Dart, considered the Father of the American Disabilities Act
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 25 percent of American adults have some form of a disability. That is too large a group to ignore. By voting, people make elected officials pay attention.
At John’s Crazy Socks, we encourage our colleagues to vote and give them time off to vote. We do so as part of our mission to show what people with differing abilities can do. And we do it because we strive to be good corporate citizens.
John is a strong advocate of the National Down Syndrome Society’s Down Syndrome Votes program and the National Down Syndrome Congress’ Your Voice, Your Vote initiative.
Be like John: never miss an opportunity to vote. Make sure your voice is heard.
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 $600,000 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.
