John had a magical weekend last week celebrating with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). The weekend started in Times Square with the screening of a video, then moved to Central Park for the annual NYC Buddy Walk and finished at the Mets game on Sunday afternoon with John invited onto the field for a special celebration.
The Times Square Video: A Celebration of People with Down Syndrome
Every year, NDSS rents time on a giant billboard in Times Square to show a video featuring people with Down syndrome. For an hour, viewers see a slideshow filled with the faces of people with Down syndrome.
Hundreds of people from all over the country and around the world gather in Times Square to watch the video. It is a wonderful celebration of people with Down syndrome.
For many years, John had his picture screened as part of the video, and people would cheer when they saw him. Last year, John learned that there were many more applicants to join the video than there were slots available. As a result, for the past two years, John has opted not to submit his photo, saying, "I want to give other people a chance to see their picture up on the big screen."
John loves joining the celebration and meeting so many people in the Down syndrome community. Take a look at some of the photos from the Times Square festivities.
The NYC Buddy Walk: A Celebration of the Down Syndrome Community
NDSS sponsors Buddy Walks across the country and around the world, but the biggest may be the one that takes place in Central Park in the heart of New York City.
Thousands of people gather for the Buddy Walk to celebrate people with Down syndrome. There's music, games, and lots of fun. Chris Wragge from WCBS New York serves as the MC, and the fun ends with a dance party, which you know John loves.
John's Crazy Socks helps sponsor the Buddy Walk and had a table where people could grab socks and say hello to John. Take a look at some of the photos from the Buddy Walk.
John Receives the NDSS Spirit Award at the Mets Game
As if all the fun on Saturday was not enough, John capped off his weekend at the New York Mets game on Sunday. Before the game started, John and others were invited onto the field for a special presentation from NDSS and the Mets, recognizing his contribution to the Down syndrome community.
John loved seeing his picture on the big screen and even got to dance with Mrs. Met. He spent the day cheering on the Mets with his brother Jamie and his many friends.
Down Syndrome Awareness Socks
Beginning with the first Down Syndrome Awareness Socks, John’s Crazy Socks has gone on to create a line of Down Syndrome Awareness products including many different socks, blankets and other items. These include John’s favorite the Down Syndrome Super Hero Socks, Buddy Walk Socks and a holiday Down Syndrome Super Box comprised of 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 also sponsors a Buddy Walk Fundraising Program that helps local Buddy Walk organizers raise money.
John’s Crazy Socks and the National Down Syndrome Society
In January 2017, John and Mark went looking for a Down syndrome-themed sock they could sell in their new online store. No one made socks like this. John, who is a natural entrepreneur, suggested they make one and that gave birth to the Down Syndrome Awareness Socks. John designed these socks and they are the first Down syndrome-themed socks in the world.
In keeping with their principle of Giving Back, John and Mark called up the National Down Syndrome Society and said they wanted to donate money from the sale of those socks to NDSS. A friendship and deep collaboration grew from that first conversation.
John and Mark are Ambassadors for NDSS and serve on their Public Policy Advisory Board. John serves on the Board of Directors for NDSS. The father and son team have spoken at numerous NDSS events.
John’s Crazy Socks participates in many of the advocacy events sponsored by NDSS including the self-advocate day at the U.S. Capitol when they meet with members of Congress to advance the rights of people with Down syndrome. John and Mark have testified twice before Congress and both times they did so with the support of NDSS. John’s Crazy Socks is a member of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment that was co-founded 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.
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)
TheNational Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. Founded in 1979, NDSS supports and advocates for the Down syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Policy & Advocacy, and Community Engagement. Within these focus areas NDSS engages in various activities, events, and programs on topics that are critical to our community such as federal and state advocacy and public policy, health and wellness, education, and employment. NDSS creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan and hosts awareness and engagement events throughout the country including the National Buddy Walk® Program, the Times Square Video presentation and New York City Buddy Walk®, Racing for 3.21 on World Down Syndrome Day, Run for 3.21, DC Golf Outing, the annual NDSS Gala & Auction, and various other events. Visitwww.ndss.org for more information about NDSS.
About the National Buddy Walk® Program
Since 1995, the National Buddy Walk Program has been the premier Down syndrome awareness, advocacy, and peer-to-peer fundraising program in the world. It was created by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for local and national incentives to support the Down syndrome community. Today, roughly 150 Buddy Walkevents take place in cities across the country and in select international locations. To learn more and find a Buddy Walknear you, visit www.buddywalk.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 $750,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, we 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.
