The gloves that Senator Bernie Sanders wore in the presidential inauguration did more than just keep him warm and unleash a viral meme – in the past five days, they’ve raised more than $ 1.8 million for Vermont charities.
After a photo of Sanders wearing a parka and hand-made gloves at the inauguration went viral, fans and enemies began editing the Senator in still lifes, movie posters and even famous paintings.
The merchandise now sold out with the photo, dubbed “Chairman Sanders”, was posted on its website last Thursday. The first available item sold out in less than 30 minutes, with each additional drop being sold shortly thereafter.
“Jane and I were amazed at all the creativity shown by so many people last week and we are happy to be able to use my fame on the internet to help the needy vermonters,” Sanders said in a statement to CBS News.
“But even this amount of money does not replace Congressional action, and I will do everything I can in Washington to ensure that workers in Vermont and across the country receive the relief they need in the midst of the worst crisis that we” have faced since the Great Depression. ”
Sales proceeds were donated directly to a variety of Vermont charities, including Area Aging Agencies, Vermont Parent and Child Network, Vermont Senior Care Centers and Bistate Primary Care, among others.
The gloves Sanders wore were hand made by Jen Ellis, a Vermont teacher who made them out of recycled material and gave him a pair.
“When [Sanders] I used them at the opening, I was delighted, “Ellis told CBS News.” I mean, people use famous designers for the opening, and there was Bernie, wearing gloves that I made, you know, in my craft room, with a sewing machine that my mom gave me when I was 12. “
His coat, made by Burton Snowboards, prompted an additional donation of 50 jackets to the Burlington Department for Children and Families on behalf of Sanders.
Getty Images photographer Brendan Smialowski captured the image of Sanders. The photography agency said it would donate the profits from the photo to Meals on Wheels of America.