Bernie Sanders Raises $ 1.8 Million for Charity with Merchandise Inspired by Inauguration Memes



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The Vermont senator’s team began selling sweatshirts and t-shirts with the photo, which inspired countless memes, on their campaign store last Thursday.

The $ 45 black crew-neck sweatshirt appears to be as popular as the meme – the first set of the product sold out in less than 30 minutes Thursday night, according to a press release from Sanders’ office.

“Other items were added over the weekend and sold on Monday morning,” the statement said.

All the money raised will be distributed to several charities in his home state of Vermont, the statement said.

“Jane and I have been amazed at 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 the communicated.

“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. ”

Charities Sanders has chosen to benefit from merchandise sales include: Regional Aging Agencies to fund Meals on Wheels across Vermont, Vermont Community Action Agencies, Feeding Chittenden, The Child Parenting Network of Vermont, The Chill Foundation, Vermont Senior Centers through Regional Bistate Primary Care Agencies for Improving Dental Care in Vermont.

Age Well, the largest meal-on-wheels provider in Vermont, said on Twitter that it was “BLOWN AWAY by supporting our meal-on-wheels program” in sweatshirt sales.
“On behalf of all the region’s Aging Agencies and our partners in the community who help us provide catering services, this is a great gift and we couldn’t be more grateful,” said Jane Catton , CEO of Age Well, at CNN affiliate WCAX.

Sanders isn’t the only one using the viral moment as a chance to raise money for charities.

As part of the license agreement to put the famous photo on T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers, Getty Images will donate the proceeds from the license to Meals on Wheels America, according to the press release.

Burton Snowboards, which makes the coat Sanders wore on inauguration day, donated 50 jackets to the Burlington Department for Children and Family on behalf of the senator.

Crochet Bernie Sanders doll raised over $ 40,000 for charity at online auction
Inspired by Sanders’ donations, Texas woman Tobey King auctioned off a handmade crochet doll from Sanders and raised over $ 40,000 for Meals of Wheels America.
“Senator Sanders has long been one of the biggest advocates of Meals on Wheels,” Jenny Young, vice president of communications for Meals on Wheels America, told CNN ahead of the auction, “and it is incredible how see how her unexpected moment in the spotlight is inspiring others to join the fight against hunger and isolation among the elderly. “

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