Suzanne Reek, the Executive Director of the Nassau/Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America, stopped by the John’s Crazy Socks offices to receive our latest donation to the Autism Society of America. Suzanne did more than just take a photo with a big check, she also met with our co-founders, John and Mark X. Cronin, to discuss opportunities for the two organizations to collaborate and to discuss new initiatives that both organizations have to increase employment for people with autism.
Ms. Reek said, “Thank you, John and Mark Cronin, for your generous donation and for providing meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities, including autism.”
John Cronin said, “We are so happy to support the work that the Autism Society of America does.”
It is Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month but John’s Crazy Socks celebrates people with autism every day. After all, we have a mission to spread happiness and much of that mission is based on showing what people with differing abilities can do.
On Autism Awareness Day, April 2, John’s Crazy Socks donates $1 from every order to the Autism Society of America. That is just one part of our commitment to people with autism. We start by creating jobs: we have created 34 jobs and 22 are held by people with differing abilities, many of whom have autism.
We also created a line of Autism Awareness Socks and products to celebrate people with autism and to raise money for the Autism Society of America. Mark X. Cronin said, “People wear our autism socks to show their love and appreciation for people with autism. It may be a son or daughter, it may be a co-worker or fellow students. These socks shine a light on what people with autism bring into our lives.”
John’s Crazy Socks sponsors an “Autism Can Do Scholarship” that gives a top prize of $5,000 to a person with autism to advance his or her education. The winner will be announced later this month.
It is not enough for John’s Crazy Socks to hire people with autism, we want to show the world what they can do. We create content for our social media platforms and meet with the media. Yesterday, ABC News interviewed John and Mark as well as two colleagues, John Schneider and Chelsie Fonseca, who have autism. ABC wanted to hear about creating employment for people with autism and our Giving Back program.
John’s Crazy Socks has also created a platform to speak up for people with differing abilities. 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.
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.
