At John’s Crazy Socks we love the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. When they held their annual gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan, we could not wait to join the celebration and support the cause.
“NDSS is so important to me and all people with Down syndrome,” said John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks.” John is an entrepreneur and sock tycoon who also has Down syndrome. “NDSS stands up for the rights of people with Down syndrome.” In 2019, John joined the Board of the National Down Syndrome Society.
What an amazing evening it was. We had a table full of folks from John’s Crazy Socks including Sock Wranglers Gary Rottkamp and Jonathan Bleecker, our strategic partners Paul and Lewis Rotstein and many more as well as John and his Mom and Dad.
John’s Crazy Socks at the NDSS Gala
We wanted to attend the NDSS Gala to show our support for the work done by the National Down Syndrome Society. We also wanted our colleagues to have a good time. And we wanted to help raise money to support the NDSS.
Here is John Dancing at the Gala
To help raise money, we donated a box of socks for the silent auction. (If you want us to donate a box of socks for your charity, you can learn more about our donation program here.) As we have in years past, we donated a package for the live auction of designing a pair of socks with John. Designing socks with John is always a highlight of the live auction and John joined his friend and world-famous auctioneer CK Swett to auction off the prize.
Between the auction item and donations from the John’s Crazy Socks table, we helped raise over $16,000 for the NDSS at the Gala.
Honoring Mark Tremonti and the Tremonti Family
The National Down Syndrome Society honored Mark Tremonti and his family at the Gala. Mark is well known for his bands Creed, Alter Bridge, and Tremonti. In May 2022, Mark put out an album Tremonti Sings Sinatra. Accompanied by members of Frank Sinatra's band, as well as other top musicians, the album rose to the #1 jazz album on the Billboard charts. All proceeds from the album benefit NDSS in honor of Mark’s daughter, Stella, who has Down syndrome.
At the end of the dinner portion of the evening, Mark Tremonti and his band put on a concert of him singing Sinatra songs including “Fly Me To The Moon,” “My Way” and “That’s Life” among others. John and the entire John’s Crazy Socks crew got up to dance.
Down Syndrome Awareness Socks
Beginning with the first Down Syndrome Awareness Socks, John’s Crazy Socks has gone on to create a line of Down Syndrome Awareness products including many different socks, blankets and other items. These include John’s favorite the Down Syndrome Super Hero Socks, Buddy Walk Socks and a holiday Down Syndrome Super Box comprised of 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 also sponsors a Buddy Walk Fundraising Program that helps local Buddy Walk organizers raise money.
John’s Crazy Socks and the National Down Syndrome Society
In January 2017, John and Mark went looking for a Down syndrome-themed sock they could sell in their new online store. No one made one. John, who is a natural entrepreneur, suggested they make one and that gave birth to the Down Syndrome Awareness Socks. John designed these socks and they are the first Down syndrome-themed socks in the world.
In keeping with their principle of Giving Back, John and Mark called up the National Down Syndrome Society and said they wanted to donate money from the sale of those socks to NDSS. A friendship and deep collaboration grew from that first conversation.
John and Mark are Ambassadors for NDSS and serve on their Public Policy Advisory Board. John serves on the Board of Directors for NDSS. The father and son team have spoken at numerous NDSS events.
John’s Crazy Socks participates in many of the advocacy events sponsored by NDSS including the self-advocate day at the U.S. Capitol when they meet with members of Congress to advance the rights of people with Down syndrome. John and Mark have testified twice before Congress and both times they did so with the support of NDSS. John’s Crazy Socks is a member of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment that was co-founded 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.
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 the National Buddy Walk® Program
Since 1995, the National Buddy Walk Program has been the premier Down syndrome awareness, advocacy, and peer-to-peer fundraising program in the world. It was created by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for local and national incentives to support the Down syndrome community. Today, roughly 150 Buddy Walkevents take place in cities across the country and in select international locations. To learn more and find a Buddy Walknear you, visit www.buddywalk.org.
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 $550,000 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 or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
