At John’s Crazy Socks, we love the National Down Syndrome Society and at the annual NDSS gala, we showed that love by auctioning off the opportunity to design custom socks with John. That auction item raised $20,000 for the NDSS.
The NDSS is the leading human rights organization for people with Down syndrome. Founded around a kitchen table by some concerned parents in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society supports and advocates for the Down syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Policy & Advocacy and Community Engagement.
The Partnership between John’s Crazy Socks and the NDSS
The NDSS is a key charity partner of John’s Crazy Socks. We donate a portion of our Down syndrome awareness socks to the NDSS and hold special fundraising events for them. Over the years, we have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the NDSS.
Just as importantly, we collaborate with the NDSS to advocate for and champion the rights of people with Down syndrome. John and Mark have journeyed many times to Capitol Hill with NDSS to speak with members of Congress about issues relevant to people with Down syndrome. The NDSS supported John and Mark in the two times they testified before Congress. When John’s Crazy Socks held an event with New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on ABLE Accounts, NDSS served as a co-sponsor of that event.
John and Mark have spoken at many NDSS events and serve as Ambassadors for the NDSS. John is also a member of the board for the NDSS. And John’s Crazy Socks is a member of the CEO Commission on Disability Employment that was cofounded by NDSS along with Voya Financial and the Society of Human Source Management (SHRM).
The NDSS Gala and John’s Crazy Socks
Each year, the NDSS hosts a fundraising gala in New York City. John’s Crazy Socks has been attending since 2017. To support the fundraising efforts, we donate a “design a sock” gift package. The winner gets to design socks with John, come to the John’s Crazy Socks headquarters for a tour and have lunch with John and Mark. Plus, we produce 100 pairs of their sock design. It is a fabulously fun prize and always draws attention.
To auction off this item, John gets up on the stage with famed auctioneer C.K. Swett to encourage people to bid. This year, the wining bid was $10,000 and a second bidder agreed to match the winning bid. All told that auction item raised $20,000 for the NDSS. John was ecstatic with the outcome.
About the National Down Syndrome Society
The National Down Syndrome Society is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS provides state-of-the-art, comprehensive programming to all individuals with Down syndrome and their families with four main areas of programming, which include the National Advocacy & Policy Center, the National Inclusive Health & Sports Program featuring the National Buddy Walk® Program, Community Outreach and Resources and Public Awareness. 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. For more information visit www.ndss.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™. They do this by offering socks people can love that allows an expression of one’s true self. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $500,000 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.
