When John Cronin, the Co-Founder of John’s Crazy Socks, says he loves the Special Olympics he means it. He did his eighth Polar Plunge to support the Special Olympics and raise money for the organization. John led a team of colleagues from John’s Crazy Socks who joined 100 other brave souls who participated in the second annual Town of Huntington Polar Plunge held at Frank P. Petrone Crab Meadow Beach on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Each plunger raised funds to support the Special Olympics.
“It is so much fun,” said John, “I am glad to jump in freezing water for the Special Olympics.” John wore his Polar Plunge Socks, which raise money for the Special Olympics, to get ready for his feat of daring.
At a ceremony before the Polar Plunge, John presented a “big check” to the Special Olympics of funds raised from special events John’s Crazy Socks raised for Special Olympics by donating $1 for every order received on December 4 as part of the company’s 12 Days of Giving. The 12 Days of Giving is part of the Giving Back program at John’s Crazy Socks which has raised over $550,000 for our charity partners.
The event was organized by Special Olympics and the Town of Huntington Town Council led by Joan Cergol and Dr. Dave Bennardo. Councilman Sal Ferro joined the fun and was the leading fundraiser for the event. Todd Jamison, Director of Parks and Recreation and Deputy Walter Edwards, both long-time friends of John’s, were present to lend support and make sure everything ran smoothly.
John’s Crazy Socks and the Special Olympics
“I am a Special Olympic athlete,” said John Cronin, Co-Founder and Chief Happiness Officer at John’s Crazy Socks. “I play basketball, soccer, track and field and snowshoe. I have been a Special Olympic athlete for 21 years.”
From the day that John and his father Mark X. Cronin opened their online sock store, they have made supporting the Special Olympics part of the experience at John’s Crazy Socks. Mark explained, “From day one, we pledged five percent of our earnings to the Special Olympics. We made that promise to show our gratitude for how much the Special Olympics has done for John and thousands of Special Olympic athletes. Our customers know that when they buy from us, they support the Special Olympics.”
Mark said, “We will tell you that without experience, confidence and lessons learned from the Special Olympics, John never would have been able to start John’s Crazy Socks.”
John’s Crazy Socks Gives Back to the Special Olympics
At John’s Crazy Socks, we have a mission to spread happiness. John says the keys to happiness are gratitude and doing for others. Thus, our Giving Back Program is an essential part of our mission. Supporting the Special Olympics is very important to us. In fact, John’s Crazy Socks has donated over $125,000 to Special Olympics New York.
We start by donating 5 percent of our earnings to the Special Olympics. John’s Crazy Socks donates 5 percent from the sale of our Sock of the Month Club to the Special Olympics. And we donate 10 percent from the sale of our Polar Plunge Socks and Shark Socks to the Special Olympics. John designed Shark Socks in honor of his basketball and track team, the Commack Sharks.
John’s Crazy Socks is a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. Started by John Cronin and his father, Mark X. Cronin, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. Every day, they show what people with differing abilities can accomplish.
About Special Olympics New York
Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 51,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with about 250 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.com, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.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.
