John Cronin, co-founder and inspiration for John’s Crazy Socks, started playing Special Olympic soccer at age five. He’s twenty-six now and still playing Special Olympic soccer only now John also plays basketball and competes in track and field and snowshoe. John loves the Special Olympics and the Special Olympics has played a key role in his development.
One way that John shows his gratitude to the Special Olympics is to donate money from his business to support the organization. Last week, John visited with Diane Colonna, the Vice President for Downstate Operations in for New York State Special Olympics to deliver a donation check.
“It makes me feel good to give money to the Special Olympics,” said John Cronin. “They are a great organization and mean so much to me.”
Diane Colonna said, “We always love seeing John. His donations make a difference and help us do more for our athletes."
John’s Crazy Socks and the Special Olympics
Mark X. Cronin, John’s co-founder and father, said, “We often say that without the Special Olympics there would be no John’s Crazy Socks. We have seen the difference the organization has made in so many – teaching discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, helping people learn how to be coached and to overcome defeat. The socialization skills and ability to act independently are incredibly valuable. We have watched John develop the confidence to stand on his own through the Special Olympics.”
Many of John’s colleagues at John’s Crazy Socks are Special Olympic athletes and several other employees, including Mark, have helped coach in the Special Olympics.
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 $115,000 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 the Shark Socks in honor of his basketball and track team, the Commack Sharks.
John’s Crazy Socks participates every year in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge and supports other Special Olympic events whenever possible.
John’s Crazy Socks is a special 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 $525,000 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.
