John Cronin started participating in the Special Olympics 20 years ago when he first stepped on the soccer pitch. He’s still playing soccer with the Special Olympics and he participates in basketball, track and field and snowshoe. John has carried his appreciation for the Special Olympics into the business he co-founded, John’s Crazy Socks, which donates money from certain products and 5 percent of its profits to the Special Olympics.
This afternoon, John delivered another $3,500 donation to the Special Olympics.
“The Special Olympics are very important to me and have made a difference in my life,” said John. “It is important to show my gratitude by giving back to the Special Olympics.” John serves on the New York Leadership Council for the Special Olympics and has participated in the Polar Plunge for seven years in a row to help raise money for the organization. “I am willing to dive into freezing water for the Special Olympics.”
The donations to the Special Olympics are an important part of the Giving Back program at John’s Crazy Socks. John’s co-founder and father, Mark X. Cronin says, “It is not enough to just sell stuff. Giving back is essential to our mission and we want to show our appreciation for all the Special Olympics does by donating money to support their programs.”
John said, “Many of our colleagues are Special Olympic athletes. They do great work. The Special Olympics teaches teamwork, discipline and how to be coached. I learn that it is okay to lose and then get back up and try again.”
His father and partner added, “We have long said that without the Special Olympics, there would be no John’s Crazy Socks.”
As part of its Giving Back program, John’s Crazy Socks donates five percent of its earnings to the Special Olympics. In addition, the Company donates money from specific products to support the Special Olympics:
- We donate 5 percent from the sale of our Sock of the Month Club to the Special Olympics.
- We donate 10 percent from the sale of our Shark Socks to the Special Olympics. John designed these for his team, the Commack Sharks.
- We donate 10 percent of our Polar Plunge Socks to the Special Olympics.
Giving Back is baked into everything we do at John’s Crazy Socks. The idea is simple: we do not believe it is enough to just sell things, we must give back. Giving back is a way to say thank you and expressing our gratitude. Giving back is a way to serve our community. Giving Back is an essential part of our social enterprise.
“When you buy from us,” says John, “you help us hire people with differing abilities and you help us Give Back. You are helping us spread happiness.
The Company publishes a monthly Giving Back Report to show its customers where the Company made donations and how much.
John says there are two important things in life: doing for others and gratitude. If you do for others and have gratitude, you will be happy. That is what our Giving Back program is all about.
