Bernie Sanders’ mittens and memes help raise $ 1.8 million for charity



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About those woolen mittens that US Senator Bernie Sanders wore at the presidential inauguration, sparking endless bizarre memes on social media? They have helped raise $ 1.8 million over the past five days for charities in Sanders, Vermont, home state, the independent senator said on Wednesday.

The sum comes from the sale of goods with the image of January 20 of him sitting with his arms and legs crossed, wearing his brown parka and mittens made from recycled wool.

Sanders put the first of the so-called “Chairman Sanders” merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers, on its website Thursday night and the first print sold out in less than 30 minutes, said Sanders. -he declares. More merchandise was added over the weekend and sold out on Monday morning, he said.

“Jane and I have been in awe of how creative so many people have been over the past week, and we are happy to be able to use my internet fame to help Vermonters in need,” Sanders said in a statement. written statement. “But even this amount of money is no substitute for congressional action, and I will do everything I can in Washington to make sure workers in Vermont and across the country get the help they need at in the midst of the worst crisis we have ever had. I have been dealing with since the Great Depression.

Sanders’ mittens were made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Vermont who has a side business that makes mittens from recycled wool. His inaugural look, also featuring the winter jacket made by Burton Snowboards, sparked countless memes of the photo taken by Agence France-Presse: the former presidential candidate could be found on the timelines of the social media taking place in the subway, the moon and the sofa. with the cast of “Friends”, among other creative places.

Ellis said on social media over the weekend that Sanders called her to tell her that ‘the mitten frenzy’ raised a huge amount of money for Vermont charities, even though she didn’t. was not yet authorized to disclose the amount.

“But it’s BIG and it’s amazing! Thank you!! Generosity brings joy, ”she tweeted.

She also said she made three more pairs of mittens and donated them to fundraising at Passion 4 Paws Vermont, Outright Vermont, and would sell a pair on eBay for her daughter’s college fund. .

Groups that will benefit from the proceeds of “President Sanders” articles include Regional Aging Agencies to Fund Meals on Wheels across Vermont, Vermont Community Action Agencies, Feeding Chittenden, Vermont Parent Child Network, The Chill Foundation, Centers for the Elderly in Vermont and Bistate Primary Care for Improving Dental Care in the state, Sanders’ office said.

Sander’s attire also sparked other charitable activities. A crochet doll of Sanders in her outfit was auctioned online and Burton Snowboards donated 50 jackets to the Burlington Department for Children and Families on Sanders’ behalf, her office said.

Getty Images will donate its profits under the license agreement to put the photo on t-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers to Meals on Wheels of America, Sanders’ office said. An email has been sent to Getty requesting comment.

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