The grandpa everyone wishes they had…

Memes in the modern age are a fickle thing. They can last anywhere from a week to a year, but inevitably, they leave the world with minimal impact, at the most helping to bring a new joke or phrase into the culture. However, every once and a while a meme comes along that manages to move heaven and Earth, becoming so large it causes real change in the vastness of our planet. Well strap yourselves in beauties, as another one of those memes has emerged, and it’s had mad effect on the world already.

Of course, you know what we’re talking about: Senator Bernie Sanders and his goddamn mittens. The Vermont Senator was the forefront of fashion at the Presidential inauguration last week, looking like a Vogue fashion model as he braved the cold in those adorable hand blankies.

This photographer took the photo of Senator Bernie Sanders (and his mittens) on Inauguration Day that launched a thousand memes. https://t.co/YmkbP07z3T

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 26, 2021

What he probably wasn’t counting on when he made the fashion choice however, was how hard that look would catch on. Specifically, how many individuals across the world would spend good money to have merch of him and his mittens. But luckily, Bernie is a hustler, and now he’s turned the world of memes on its head, raising a bunch of cash for charity in the process.

According to CNN, Bernie has raised a whopping $1.8 million USD ($2.4 million AUD) for charity through the sale of his merch, which ranges from sweatshirts to T-shirts and stickers. The ‘Chairman Sanders’ (nice name by the way) drop was so bloody popular that it actually sold out in less than 30 minutes, which, knowing the intense love for old mate, makes perfect sense.

Speaking on the intense outpouring of support, Sanders said in a statement “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.”

To make the story even more wholesome, Bernie reached out to thank the Vermont school teacher who gave him the OG mittens, who wrote ”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