John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, is a Special Olympic athlete who loves the Special Olympics. In starting his business, he pledged to give back to the Special Olympics. John and John’s Crazy Socks has now raised $106,557 for the Special Olympics and today they held an event to celebrate.
John said, “I love the Special Olympics and donating this money makes me very happy.”
John was joined today by his colleagues, fellow Special Olympic athletes and his Special Olympic coaches Linda Roth, Mike Ludin and Joe Amadeo. Some special guests also came to celebrate including Stacey Hengsterman, CEO of New York Special Olympics, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Assemblyman Jarret Gandolfo and Huntington Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol.
Ms. Hengsterman said, “We are so proud of this partnership and we are so proud of John who is using his leadership skills that he gained in Special Olympics to be able to grow this amazing business and to create jobs for so many people with differing abilities. We are grateful for the support John has given us.”
State Comptroller DiNapoli said, “John and John’s Crazy Socks show us what people with differing abilities can do when given an opportunity. Indeed, John’s Crazy Socks shows us what is possible.”
John Schneider, a Sock Wrangler at John’s Crazy Socks and a Special Olympic athlete said, “I love the Special Olympics and I love working at John’s Crazy Socks.”
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.
Giving back is baked into everything John’s Crazy Socks does. The company has donated over $450,000 for their charity partners that include the National Down Syndrome Society, the Autism Society of America, the American Cancer Society, the North Shore Animal League and United Cerebral Palsy.
Ms. Hengsterman presented a plaque to John on behalf of the Special Olympics. John then presented the plaque to his colleagues saying, “I want to give this to my colleagues because they do such hard work and they make everything possible at John’s Crazy Socks.”
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.”
John’s Crazy Socks donates 5 percent form the sale of its Sock of the Month Club to the Special Olympics. And they donate 10 percent form the sale of their 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. In addition, they donate 5 percent of their overall earnings to the Special Olympics.
When presenting the symbolic big check to the Special Olympics, John said, “We’re just getting started.”
Mark added, “We already working on the next $100,000.”
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™. They do this by offering socks people can love that allows an expression of one’s true self… and by giving back, by creating jobs for people with differing abilities and by 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.
