John Cronin, co-founder and Chief Happiness officer at John’s Crazy Socks, was excited this week because we made another donation to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).
“I love NDSS. They do such good work and stand up for people with Down syndrome, people like me,” said John.
When John’s Crazy Socks got started, John designed his first awareness sock, the Down Syndrome Awareness Sock, to celebrate people with Down syndrome. Those socks raise money for two of John’s favorite charity partners, the National Down Syndrome Society and ACDS, a local group where John attended preschool. We have expanded our Down syndrome-themed products to include more sock designs, blankets, and other items. We donate 10 percent from each of those items to NDSS and ACDS.
Last week, John hand-delivered a quarterly donation check to ACDS. He mailed a check to NDSS but he’s showing this big check so everyone knows how much NDSS means to him.
Why the National Down Syndrome Society?
It is only natural that John’s desire to stand up for the rights of people with Down syndrome would lead him to the National Down Syndrome Society. The organization came to life in 1979 when some parents got together to determine how they could best support their children with Down syndrome. Today, NDSS is a major force in the Down syndrome community and the nation with a mission to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities, and shifting public perceptions.
John recently attended the Caring for Congress reception that the NDSS hosted in Washington D.C. for members of Congress.
John says, “They make a difference for so many people.”
John’s Crazy Socks and NDSS
John and John’s Crazy Socks support NDSS not only through our donations, but in many other ways. In 2019, John joined the Board of the National Down Syndrome Society.
John and his father, Mark X. Cronin, are part of the NDSS Ambassador’s Program and Mark served as the Captain for the New York team at the Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. John and Mark participate in the advocacy and lobbying program supported by NDSS.
John’s Crazy Socks held an event to promote and educate people about ABLE Accounts and were joined by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. NDSS co-sponsored that event. In fact, NDSS was instrumental in getting the initial ABLE Account law passed.
Down Syndrome Awareness Socks
John Cronin designed and created the world’s first Down Syndrome Awareness Socks in 2017. Since that time, John has designed many new Down syndrome-themed socks and products, including throw blankets so that John’s Crazy Socks now has a full line of Down Syndrome Awareness products. John’s favorite socks are the Down Syndrome Superhero Socks. Come holiday time, John’s Crazy Socks creates a holiday Down Syndrome Super Box that has products made by companies led by or employing people with Down syndrome.
We donate money from the sale of those socks and products to the National Down Syndrome Society.
John’s Crazy Socks offers a Buddy Walk® sock that raises money for the Buddy Walk® Program. John never misses the NYC Buddy Walk®. John’s Crazy Socks also sponsors a Buddy Walk Fundraising Program that helps local Buddy Walk organizers raise money.
In addition to donations from Down syndrome-themed products, John’s Crazy Socks has helped sponsor the NYC Buddy Walk and donates ‘design a sock with John’ for auction at the annual NDSS Gala.
About the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
Founded in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities, and shifting public perceptions. NDSS engages grassroots advocates at the federal, state, and local levels and creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan on topics including education, employment, health and wellness, and aging. NDSS founded the National Buddy Walk® Program in 1995 and hosts community engagement events throughout the country including the New York City Buddy Walk® and Times Square Video, the NDSS Adult Summit, and the Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. Visitwww.ndss.org to learn more.
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 $630,000 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, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
