John’s Crazy Socks had a special guest join us for our Staff Lunch Friday: Suzanne Reek, the Executive Director of the Nassau/Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America, stopped by to break bread and catch up. At the end of lunch, John and Gary presented a donation to the Autism Society of America.
Ms. Reek said, “Thank you, John and the entire John’s Crazy Socks team for your generosity and all the support you have given us over the years. We love your mission of providing meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities, including autism.”
John Cronin said, “I am always happy to see Suzanne Reek. She does so much for so many people with autism. It makes us feel good to donate to the Autism Society of America.”
Our customers know when they buy from us, they will receive great socks with personalized service, but they also know they help us hire people with differing abilities, they help us give back and, most of all, they help us spread happiness.
John’s Crazy Socks Shows What People with Autism Can Do
At John’s Crazy Socks, we’re on a mission to spread happiness. John’s co-founder and father, Mark X. Cronin, says, “Actually, we’re on a mission to help our customers spread happiness. One key way we spread happiness is by creating jobs for people with differing abilities, including people with autism. More than half our colleagues have a differing ability.”
“It is not enough to hire people with autism,” said Mark X. Cronin, “we want to show the world what our colleagues can do.” To encourage students, John’s Crazy Socks hosts tours so students and others can see the work performed here. We host work groups so students and social service clients can gain experience in the workplace. John and Mark speak at schools to encourage students and show what is possible for them.
And we engage in advocacy work, standing up for the rights of people with differing abilities and people with autism. John and Mark are frequent keynote speakers at conferences and corporate events. And they bring their message to colleges and universities. John and Mark have testified twice before the U.S. Congress, including an appearance alongside the Autism Society of America. And the company is a member of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment and the Neurodiversity @Work Business Roundtable.
Giving Back to Support People with Autism
John’s Crazy Socks has created a line of socks and other products that give back to the Autism Society of America. We donate 10 percent from the sale of those products to the Nassau Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America.
“I love our Autism Awareness Socks,” said John. “They are so beautiful and so comfortable.”
John’s Crazy Socks sponsors an annual “Autism Can Do Scholarship” that gives a top prize of $5,000 to a person with autism to advance his or her education.
The John’s Crazy Socks Giving Back program has now donated over $550,000 to our charity partners.
About the Autism Society of America
For nearly 60 years, the Autism Society of America, has connected people to the resources they need through education, advocacy, support, information and referral, and community programming. The Autism Society empowers everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. They have a vision of a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it.
The Nassau Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America (NSASA) is a parent-run organization serving over 4,000 families on Long Island. Through their fundraising efforts, NSASA provides free educational, social, and recreational opportunities to families touched by autism. NSASA organizes a variety of events including roller skating, private movie screenings, Outback Steakhouse luncheons, plays, bowling, and more! It is our goal to provide positive experiences for families in a non-judgmental, welcoming environment.
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.
