People wear crazy socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and this year, John’s Crazy Socks is working with Down Syndrome International and the National Down Syndrome Society to create socks for World Down Syndrome Day 2024. These socks will celebrate people with Down Syndrome and raise money for Down Syndrome International (DSi) and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).
“I am so excited about these socks,” said John Cronin, co-founder and Chief Happiness Officer at John’s Crazy Socks. John is not only the leader of the world’s largest sock store, but John happens to have Down syndrome. “I am so happy that we are making these socks for people around the United Sates and the world to celebrate people with Down syndrome.”
Andrew Boys, Executive Director of Down Syndrome International, said, “We are excited to work with John’s Crazy Socks, a company started and led by a man with Down syndrome, to make socks for World Down Syndrome Day.”
Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society, said, “We have a long-standing relationship with John’s Crazy Socks. We applaud their commitment to employing people with Down syndrome and other disabilities and the work they do to raise awareness through their business.”
Socks for Celebrating People with Down Syndrome Designed by People with Down Syndrome
John’s Crazy Socks is asking the Down syndrome community to help in designing the socks for World Down Syndrome Day 2024. Together with DSi and the NDSS, John's Crazy Socks is holding a sock design contest where people with Down syndrome and their families can submit designs. A panel of judges from the three organizations will select the winning design and that will become the Official Sock of World Down Syndrome Day 2024.
John said, “You can design the socks that people around the world will wear to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2024. How cool!”
To learn more about the Down Syndrome Sock Design Contest and to enter, please click here.
World Down Syndrome Day
In December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly established March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day. Why March 21? Down syndrome is caused by having a little bit extra. All of us humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, people with Down syndrome have an extra 21st chromosome. Thus, World Down Syndrome Day takes place on the 21st day of the third month.
It is a day to celebrate people with Down syndrome. All around the world, people hold events, parties, and conferences to champion people with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome International organizes World Down Syndrome Day.
Crazy Socks and World Down Syndrome Day
Why do people wear socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day? Talk to different people and you get different answers. Some say it is because chromosomes when viewed under a high-powered microscope look like socks. Some say it is because bright, colorful socks reflect the joy and spirit of people with Down syndrome. Some say it is because crazy socks reflect the individuality of people with Down syndrome. All three sound like good reasons to us.
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.
John’s Crazy Socks and NDSS
John and John’s Crazy Socks supports 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 Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. John and Mark participate in the advocacy and lobbying program supported by NDSS. Recently, John and Mark celebrated with a table full of colleagues at the NDSS Gala.
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.
About Down Syndrome International
Down Syndrome International (DSi) is a UK-based charity and an international representative organization of persons with disabilities (OPD). They are committed to improving lives for people with Down syndrome, promoting the right to be included on a full and equal basis in all aspects of society, alongside everyone else.
DSi coordinates a global membership network of regional, national and local Down syndrome and disability organizations in 140 countries. Their members also include individuals with Down syndrome, parents, family members, friends and associates, professionals and other stakeholders who are interested in our work.
DSi represents the global community at the international level, as a member of International Disability Alliance and works with many international and regional partners to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Their work is varied and includes advocacy at all levels, provision of information and guidance, developing the capacity of our member organizations and empowering individuals with Down syndrome.
For more information, contact: Down Syndrome International, 7-9 Chapel Street, Exmouth, EX8 1HR, United Kingdom, send an email to contact@ds-int.org or visit their website: www.ds-int.org.
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.
