Dr. Dave Bennardo, newly elected to the Huntington Town Council, stopped by John’s Crazy Socks today for a visit and to learn more about our business. Their visit included a tour and a discussion about social enterprises and hiring people with differing abilities.
Co-founder John Cronin gave Dr. Bennardo and his staff person Laura Carey a tour of the offices and warehouse. John explained the warehouse system that allows John’s Crazy Socks to fulfill its promise of same day shipping. John said, “I love giving tours of our business and introducing visitors to my colleagues so they can see the great work my colleagues do.”
John’s father and co-founder, Mark X. Cronin, then joined the visitors for a conversation that focused on hiring people with differing abilities. Mark emphasized the hiring people with differing abilities is not altruism, it is good business.
We appreciate Dr. Bennardo taking the time to meet with us,” said John.
Dr. Bennardo thanked the Cronins for the tour and said, “This is fantastic. We want to tell more people about what you do.”
Why do we meet with elected officials and welcome them for tours?
At John’s Crazy Socks, we want to show the world what people with differing abilities can do. Not only do we hire people with differing abilities (more than half our colleagues have a differing ability), we want to demonstrate their abilities. We create content, host tours and work groups, give public speeches and engage in advocacy work.
We meet with elected officials and welcome them for tours because we want the people in power to know about the benefits of hiring people with differing abilities. We want them to consider the rights and needs of people with differing abilities when making policy decisions or crafting laws.
We have met with other town Council members form Huntington. Councilwoman Joan Cergol has made multiple visits to our offices and become a personal friend of John’s. Councilman Gene Cook has met with us to learn more about our business.
Dr. Dave Bennardo, newly elected to the Huntington Town Council, stopped by John’s Crazy Socks today for a visit and to learn more about our business. Their visit included a tour and a discussion about social enterprises and hiring people with differing abilities.
Co-founder John Cronin gave Dr. Bennardo and his staff person Laura Carey a tour of the offices and warehouse. John explained the warehouse system that allows John’s Crazy Socks to fulfill its promise of same day shipping. John said, “I love giving tours of our business and introducing visitors to my colleagues so they can see the great work my colleagues do.”
John’s father and co-founder, Mark X. Cronin, then joined the visitors for a conversation that focused on hiring people with differing abilities. Mark emphasized the hiring people with differing abilities is not altruism, it is good business.
We appreciate Dr. Bennardo taking the time to meet with us,” said John.
Dr. Bennardo thanked the Cronins for the tour and said, “This is fantastic. We want to tell more people about what you do.”
Why do we meet with elected officials and welcome them for tours?
At John’s Crazy Socks, we want to show the world what people with differing abilities can do. Not only do we hire people with differing abilities (more than half our colleagues have a differing ability), we want to demonstrate their abilities. We create content, host tours and work groups, give public speeches and engage in advocacy work.
We meet with elected officials and welcome them for tours because we want the people in power to know about the benefits of hiring people with differing abilities. We want them to consider the rights and needs of people with differing abilities when making policy decisions or crafting laws.
We have met with other town Council members form Huntington. Councilwoman Joan Cergol has made multiple visits to our offices and become a personal friend of John’s. Councilman Gene Cook has met with us to learn more about our business.
What can a town do? What can Huntington do?
- A town can state its desire to hire a diverse and inclusive workforce including one that includes people with differing abilities.
- Make sure their hiring practices are inclusive. Do they have a program to promote neurodiversity? Do they make accommodations to hire people with differing abilities?
- Put a premium on working with sub-contractors that hire people with differing abilities. For example, our cleaning crew comes from ACLD and is comprised of people with autism. They do great work (at a great price). In Wisconsin, the State contracts with disability service providers to clean rest areas.
- In making new policies, consider the impact on people with differing abilities.
We meet with elected officials to ensure they see and hear what is possible.
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.
