John Crazy Socks has unveiled its latest awareness socks: Wheels on Fire. These socks will benefit The Viscardi Center, an organization known around the world for its advocacy, services and support of people with disabilities. John’s Crazy Socks will donate 10 percent from the sale of these socks to The Viscardi Center.
“We love The Viscardi Center,” said John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks. “They do so much for people with differing abilities and make so many lives better.”
Dr. Chris Rosa, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center, said, “We appreciate the recognition and support from John’s Crazy Socks. Both of our organizations are dedicated to showing what people with disabilities can achieve when given an opportunity.”
The Wheels on Fire Socks
Designed by Erin Bonner with her son Bear, the Wheels on Fire socks won our Second Annual Sock Design Contest and celebrate the power and possibilities within everyone including people with physical disabilities. Erin designed an image of a fast-moving wheelchair shooting out flames. She explained that her son Bear provided the inspiration for the design:
Bear has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and uses a power wheelchair to navigate through life. He lovingly refers to his wheelchair as his race car, he loves zooming around very fast and racing people. We chose three of his favorite colors and put racing stripes and racing flames on it. We wanted the sock to be bright, fun, and look fast!
John Cronin said, “I love these socks. They are full of color and energy and send a great message.”
The socks are available at the John’s Crazy Socks website and will soon be available in retail stores as well. (Stores interested in carrying the Wheels on Fire Socks should visit the wholesale page at John’s Crazy Socks).
John’s Crazy Socks and The Viscardi Center: Working Together on a Shared Mission
Both John’s Crazy Socks and The Viscardi Center work to show what people with differing abilities can achieve. Leaders from both organizations have toured each other’s buildings and shared best practices. The Viscardi Center was a key partner in helping John’s Crazy Socks present their first annual Fashion and Art Show: Another Face of Beauty.
John and his partner/father Mark X. Cronin recently spoke to students and program participants at The Viscardi Center.
To ensure that its website is accessible to all, John’s Crazy Socks has turned to The Viscardi Center’s Digital Accessibility Services team for assistance. And John was named a winner of a 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award.
“The Viscardi Center has long set the standard in creative and cutting-edge approaches to supporting people with differing abilities,” said Mark X. Cronin. “We are inspired by them and welcome the opportunity to learn from them.”
“Donating from every sale of the Wheels on Fire Socks lets us show our gratitude for all that The Viscardi Center does,” said John Cronin. “Customers buying these know that they will get great socks, help us employ people with differing abilities and give back to The Viscardi Center.”
About The Viscardi Center
The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations based in Albertson, NY, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ, and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education (to age 21), school-to-work transition services, vocational training and job placement, digital accessibility services, entrepreneurship, veteran employment and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. who himself wore prosthetic legs, served as disability advisor to eight U.S. Presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter, and became one of the world’s leading advocates for people with disabilities. Learn more at ViscardiCenter.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.
