Bernie Sanders Raises $1.8 Million for<br />Charity With Inauguration Meme.<br />On January 20, Bernie Sanders was seen <br />wearing a parka and a pair of handmade mittens<br />at the inauguration of Joe Biden. .<br />His image quickly went<br />viral, with fans and foes<br />alike editing him into<br />anything and everything. .<br />Days later, Sanders himself jumped on the train<br />and created “Chairman Sanders” merchandise,<br />including t-shirts, stickers and sweatshirts.<br />In the last five days, the now sold-out merchandise has<br />generated over $1.8 million dollars in donations.<br />The proceeds were given to a variety of Vermont<br />charities including Area Agencies on Aging,<br />Vermont Parent Child Network, Senior Centers<br />in Vermont and Bistate Primary Care.<br />In a statement to CBS News, Sanders said<br />he and his wife, Jane, were “glad” to have<br />used his “internet fame” to help others. .<br />Jane and I were amazed by all the<br />creativity shown by so many people<br />over the last week, and we're glad<br />we can use my internet fame to<br />help Vermonters in need, Bernie Sanders, to CBS News.<br />Sanders' meme has sparked a number<br />of other charitable endeavors. .<br />Getty Images confirmed that it will donate the<br />proceeds from its part of the "Chairman Sanders" photo licensing agreement to Meals on Wheels of America. .<br />Burton Snowboards, the company that made the jacket Sanders was photographed in, has donated 50 jackets to the Burlington Department for Children and Families.
