John Lee Cronin, a young Long Islander with Down syndrome, loved crazy socks and making people happy. He was able to combine those two loves into a business with the help of his father and over the last five years they have expanded that business to a store with 4,000 different socks to choose from. All the while keeping to a mission: To show what is possible when you give someone a chance.
“Every day, we demonstrate what people with intellectual disabilities can do,” the John’s Crazy Socks website says.
The company gives back 5% of their earnings to the Special Olympics as they’ve played a vital role in John’s development. They also continue to expand their charity partners by offering and creating socks with specific “awareness” themes, such as Autism Awareness Socks and Down Syndrome Awareness Socks.
Recently, John’s Crazy Socks relocated their headquarters to East Farmingdale and were honored by the Town of Babylon at a ribbon cutting ceremony.
According to a statement, the company has created 34 jobs, 22 of which are held by people with differing abilities. In addition to cutting the ribbon, Babylon Town officials presented Cronin with a framed pair of his Down Syndrome Awareness Socks and a certificate of special recognition on behalf of the Town.
“The Town Board and I are thrilled to welcome John, his father Mark and the staff at John’s Crazy Socks to the Town of Babylon,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer. “This business has done so much good for so many people, and John and his team continue to inspire all of us with the happiness they spread. We wish them all the very best in their new home.”