John Cronin loves nothing more than getting dressed up and dancing for a good cause. Friday night found John attending the annual gala to support Gigi’s Playhouse – Long Island. Gigi’s Playhouse is a network of Down syndrome achievement centers. John served as a Table Ambassador welcoming guests to the event and thanking them for their support. John’s Crazy Socks donated a box of socks for an auction at the event as well as supporting their fundraising drive.
“I love Gigi’s Playhouse,” said John, “And the Long Island Gigi’s Playhouse is special to me because I participate in events there.”
The Long Island center is located in Patchogue, New York and John has attended movie and pizza nights as part of their Fantastic Friends program. “I get to meet new people and hang out with people like me,” said John. “It is so much fun and that’s why I want to make sure I support Gigi’s Playhouse.”
Gigi’s Playhouse provides free therapeutic, educational, and career training programs for people of all ages with Down syndrome. Founded by Nancy Gianni and her daughter Gigi in 2002, the network has grown to 57 Playhouses across the United States and Mexico. The Long Island Playhouse opened in March 2021.
The Gala raised critical funds to support Gigi’s Playhouse Long Island. The event was held at Land's End of Sayville and honored James and Kristina Netter of Netter Real Estate for their support of the Playhouse. Gigi’s Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) and you can donate to them at their website.
Celebrating People with Down Syndrome
John Cronin has Down syndrome and tells audiences, “I have Down syndrome; Down syndrome never holds me back.” John is not limited by his Down syndrome. Together with his father, Mark X. Cronin, he created John’s Crazy Socks which is now the world’s largest sock store.
John designed the first pair of Down Syndrome Awareness Socks and has gone on to create a line of Down Syndrome Awareness products that celebrate people with Down syndrome and raise money for Down syndrome causes.
John’s business has given him a platform to advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome and all people with differing abilities. He serves on the Board of the National Down Syndrome Society and is a member of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment. John and his father are noted keynote speakers and have spoken at events across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. John has testified twice before the U.S. Congress and will speak at the United Nations for the second time on World Down Syndrome Day 2023 (March 21).
“We have a mission to spread happiness,” said John. “The two keys to happiness are “do for others” and gratitude. That’s why it is important to give back to Gigi’s Playhouse. They do so much for people with Down syndrome, we have to show gratitude for the work they do.”
Supporting the Work at John’s Crazy Socks
When people buy socks from John’s Crazy Socks, they not only get great socks - we have over 30,000 five-star reviews - they help us employ people with differing abilities – more than half our colleagues have a differing ability. The purchase of socks supports our Giving Back program which starts with a 5 percent pledge of profits to the Special Olympics and includes Awareness Socks that raise awareness and funds for causes. We have donated over $550,000 to our charity partners. Most of all, buying our socks helps spread happiness.
We love it when customers tell us that they feel happy just putting on our socks.
About GiGi’s Playhouse
GiGi’s Playhouse is a nationwide network of Down syndrome achievement centers. GiGi’s Playhouse was founded by GiGi’s mom, Nancy Gianni, in Hoffman Estates, IL in 2002. It has now grown to 57 locations throughout the United States and Mexico and serves families in 71 countries. GiGi’s offers over 50 different therapeutic, educational, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, their families, and the community. The organization is 99% volunteer-run, and all programs are 100% free to families. From prenatal diagnosis through career skills, GiGi’s Playhouse makes a lifetime commitment to families. With over 200,000 free program participation hours annually, GiGi’s Playhouse helps participants thrive through building educational, developmental, fitness, fine and gross motor, social-emotional, and speech and language skills.
For more information about free programs, volunteerism, impact partnerships, events, and many ways to support GiGi’s Playhouse families: please visit www.gigisplayhouse.org.
GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island is located at 100 Austin Street, Suite 3, Patchogue, NY 11772. To learn more about Gigi’s Playhouse – Long Island, visit their website at https://gigisplayhouse.org/longisland or call them at (631) 438-1153.
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.
