Athlete John Cronin, Co-Founder of John’s Crazy Socks, Surpasses $100,000 in Donations to Special Olympics New York
Award-winning entrepreneur and Special Olympics New York Athlete John Cronin, of Huntington, NY, recently celebrated the milestone of donating more than $100,000 to Special Olympics New York. The funds were raised by a portion of proceeds from John’s Crazy Socks, which John co-founded with his father, Mark X. Cronin, in 2017.
The Cronins presented a check to Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman at their headquarters in Melville. They were joined by New York State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli, Huntington Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol, New York State Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo, and a dozen athletes and coaches from Special Olympics New York.
“The support we receive from John’s Crazy Socks means the world to us because it comes from the heart – the heart of an athlete and his dad, and the heart of what our organization represents, which is the opportunity to be a champion no matter what you set your mind to,” said Hengsterman. “John Cronin is living proof that Special Olympics New York is so much more than sports. He’s an athlete leader, a successful entrepreneur, a community advocate, and a wonderful friend. We couldn’t be more proud or grateful to be a part of this milestone achievement.”
The Cronins take great pride in supporting Special Olympics as well as other organizations. Since they opened their doors five years ago, giving back has been a critical mission of the company and they’ve donated more than $450,000 in total. John and his father travel the country speaking to groups and businesses like Microsoft and Google about the importance of giving back, building social enterprises, and inclusion in the workforce, especially regarding the hiring of people with differing abilities. They lead by example, having at least half of their own staff made up of people with special needs.
“We have a mission to spread happiness. As John says, gratitude and doing for others are the keys to happiness. We live these principles by baking giving back into everything we do,” said Mark Cronin.
“Giving back is really important to me. Down syndrome never holds me back. I love supporting the Special Olympics and being a Special Olympics New York Athlete,” added John Cronin.
John has participated in Special Olympics New York for more than 20 years, having started with soccer at the Huntington Boys Club when he was five years old. He and his father often credit the experience as a contributing factor to their success. Without Special Olympics, they explain in a recent blog post, there would be no John’s Crazy Socks.
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™.
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.
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