The Special Olympics New York Spring Games came to Farmingdale, Long Island on Saturday May 21 and John’s Crazy Socks was out in force for the games. Our co-founder and Chief Happiness Officer, John Cronin, competed in three events as did our colleague Andrew Oh. And John’s Crazy Socks provided fun and games at the Olympic Village set up to entertain the athletes and guests between events.
Competing in the Special Olympics
Two of our colleagues, John Cronin and Andrew Oh, competed in the Spring Games at Farmingdale. Andrew and John both ran on the 400 X 100 relay team that won a silver medal. Andrew ran the third leg and handed the baton to John for the final sprint down the track to earn the second-place finish. Andrew also ran in the 100 meter and 200 meter races bringing home silver medals in both heats. John threw the javelin far enough to earn a silver medal in his round of competition. After a brief rest, John took to the track where his strong finish in the 100 meter race won a silver medal.
John and Andrew are among several Special Olympic athletes working at John’s Crazy Socks. Both Andrew and John compete for the Commack Sharks led by Coach Joe Amadeo.
John’s Crazy Socks Brings the Fun to the Spring Games
The spring games kicked off with the Opening Ceremonies that started at 9:30 a.m. and the final events of the day – the relay races – did not start until nearly 3 p.m. making for a long day in the sun. To provide entertainment for the athletes and guests, the Special Olympics set up an Olympic Village where various organizations could provide entertainment and games.
John’s Crazy Socks set up a booth where guests could enter a contest to win a box of socks by designing socks. We provided crayons and black sock forms and received dozens of wonderful designs.
We also featured a special version of corn hole where participants through sacks of socks through the corn hole. A good time was had by all. All participants in the sock design contests and the corn hole game received prizes. After all, we’re on a mission to spread happiness and we wanted everyone to leave the booth smiling.
The Spring Games, the first ones held since 2019, were a rousing success thanks to the hard work of the Special Olympics staff and the host Farmingdale School District.
John’s Crazy Socks and the Special Olympics
Our co-founder John Cronin has been competing in the Special Olympics for over twenty years. Many of our colleagues are Special Olympic athletes or have coached in the Special Olympics.
To show our gratitude we have put the Special Olympics at the heart of our Giving Back program. 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 and he was wearing them when he competed in the Spring games.
John’s Crazy Socks has donated over $105,000 to the Special Olympics.
John Cronin said, “I love the Special Olympics and donating this money makes me very happy.”
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. More than half their employees have a differing ability and five are Special Olympic athletes.
Mark X. Cronin said, “The Special Olympics is very important to John, our family and our business. John started playing Special Olympic soccer at age five and the organization has played an essential role in his development. Without the Special Olympics, there would be no John’s Crazy Socks.”
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 $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.
