The mittens Senator Bernie Sanders wore to the presidential inauguration sparked a viral meme sensation in just over a week, they have officially raised over $1.8 million for charities in Vermont.
According to sources, the first set of mittens sold in just 30 minutes. "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," Sanders told CBS News.
"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."
Those who will benefit from the proceeds of the "Chairman Sanders" items include Area Agencies on Aging to fund Meals on Wheels throughout Vermont, Vermont community action agencies, Feeding Chittenden, Chill Foundation, senior centers in Vermont and Bi-State Primary Care for dental care improvements in the state, Sanders said.
Photo by JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)