The Bernie Sanders' meme, now dubbed 'Chairman Sanders', that emerged online after he appeared at the inauguration of Joe Biden, has now raised more than $1.8 million for charity. Most of the money had been raised after selling merchandise bearing the meme such as sweatshirts and t-shirts and through the sale of mittens of the same type Bernie wore to the inauguration. There has even been little knitted Bernies sold off at auction that have raised thousands.
All donations thus far will go to charities in Sanders, home state of Vermont which he has represented politically for decades. The charities include Meals on Wheels throughout Vermont, which delivers food to the elderly and infirm, Vermont community action agencies, Feeding Chittenden and Vermont Parent Child Network among others.
Responding to the huge amount of money raised, Senator Sanders wrote on his website, through which much of the merchandise has been sold:
"Jane and I were amazed by all the creativity shown by so many people over the last week, and we're glad we can use my internet fame to help Vermonters in need. But even this amount of money is no substitute for action by Congress, and I will be doing everything I can in Washington to make sure working people in Vermont and across the country get the relief they need in the middle of the worst crisis we've faced since the Great Depression."
Bernie's mittens were knitted for him by elementary schoolteacher Jen Ellis and are made from repurposed wool sweaters and recycled plastic. Since Sanders appeared with them at the inauguration, she has been inundated with requests for pairs, some of which were auctioned off.
She tweeted:
"Bernie Sanders called me earlier today to tell me that the mitten frenzy has already raised an enormous amount of money for Vermont charities. I am not authorized to disclose the amount yet- but it's BIG and it's amazing! Thank you!! Generosity brings joy."
Bernie Sanders called me earlier today to tell me that the mitten frenzy has already raised an enormous amount of money for Vermont charities. I am not authorized to disclose the amount yet- but it's BIG and it's amazing! Thank you!! Generosity brings joy. @People4Bernie
— Jen Ellis (@vtawesomeness) January 25, 2021
The biggest single amount of money raised from the meme image has been a tiny crocheted doll of Sanders and his mittens, which was auctioned off for a whopping $20,000. The cute little figure was made by Tobey King who repurposed an old pattern that she had. The owner of 'Tobey Time Crochet' said:
"It's mind-blowing because I knew Bernie was trending, because of that picture, and I already had a Bernie pattern and a Bernie doll. So, I just went and got that and I modified that super quick."
The Bernie pattern is up on Etsy and Ravelry! Holy cow this is madness! I am overwhelmed with emotion! Thank you to everyone who has liked, shared and commented on my Bernie doll!!! I love you to the moon and back!!! #tobeytimecrochet #crochetbernie #berniesmittens pic.twitter.com/1UA12rjh4J
— Tobey Time Crochet (@tobeytimecroche) January 23, 2021
h/t: I heart Intelligence
COMMENTS