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FILE: In this January 20, 2021 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Wears gloves while attending President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Sanders says the wool gloves he wore to the ceremony that sparked endless quirky memes on social media have helped raise $ 1.8 million in the past five days for charities in his home state of Vermont by selling of T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers with the iconic image of him sitting with his arms and legs crossed in his brown parka and recycled wool gloves (Jonathan Ernst / Photo of the pool by AP)
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FILE: In this January 20, 2021 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Wears gloves while attending President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Sanders says the wool gloves he wore to the ceremony that sparked endless quirky memes on social media have helped raise $ 1.8 million in the past five days for charities in his home state of Vermont by selling of T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers with the iconic image of him sitting with his arms and legs crossed in his brown parka and recycled wool gloves (Jonathan Ernst / Photo of the pool by AP)
The professor who created the recycled wool gloves that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders wore to the presidential inauguration (spawning countless memes) is partnering with the Vermont Teddy Bear Company to create a whole line of mittens to meet demand. growing, with some of the revenue going to Make-A-Wish Vermont.
“I can’t be more excited, because I personally can’t make 18,000 pairs of gloves,” Jen Ellis said Saturday, calculating how many people have contacted her. “Everyone will get their gloves on: everyone.”
Ellis, a Vermont elementary school teacher who has a side business that makes recycled wool gloves, gave Sanders a pair and took them to President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Her trendy look, which also includes a winter jacket made by Burton Snowboards, sparked countless memes sparked by the photo taken by the Agence France-Presse: the former presidential candidate could be found on the lines of social media time taking a seat on the subway, the moon and the couch with the cast of “Friends,” among other creative scenarios.
Sanders raised at least $ 1.8 million in merchandise for charities derived from the January 20 image sitting with arms and legs crossed, dressed in his brown parka and recycled wool gloves. Sanders posted the so-called “Chairman Sanders” merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers, on his campaign website.
The Vermont teddy bear, which makes handmade bears for all occasions, including one from Bernie, contacted Ellis to see if he would like to partner.
“Jen will work hand-in-hand (glove-in-hand) with each of our designers” to make sure the design of “Bernie mittens” in various patterns is produced in a way that meets their quality standards, Hayes McCarthy said , vice president of product innovation, brand creativity and consumer experience. “We are delighted to be part of the glove category.”
It is unclear when the first gloves could be purchased. Those interested in getting a pair can leave an email on the company’s website.
In the past, Vermont Teddy Bear has made special bears to raise money for Make-A-Wish Vermont and recently ceded offices to the organization for $ 1 a year, said James Hathaway, president and CEO of Make-A -Wish Vermont. Hathaway said the charity lost $ 250,000 in revenue during the pandemic.
“We are very grateful to Vermont Teddy Bear, Jen and of course Bernie for being so Bernie,” Hathaway said in a statement.