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Bernie meme image merchandise raises $1.8 million

A Texas resident made dolls of the the senator that fetched $20,300

bernie_meme_doll Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders | AFP; Sander doll | Instagram

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders became a meme for his simple inauguration day fashion choices. Sanders wore brown mittens and an oversized green coat. Tobey King, a Texas resident got to crocheting a doll resembling the senator. After seven hours of non-stop crocheting, King's Sanders doll fetched a cool $20,300 on eBay. More than 30,000 people bought the Sanders doll from King. King, who initially posted the image of the doll on her Instagram account, plans to donate the amount to Meals on Wheels America, an organisation dedicated to providing meals to needy and help eliminate isolation among the elderly. 

Sanders, who seems to have taken the memes in the right spirit, on Wednesday announced that he raised $1.8 million for charity over the past five days through sales of merchandise featuring him wearing knit mittens and a parka on inauguration day. 

On inauguration day, everyone was expected to be dressed to the nines. But, Sanders chose to wear a simple outfit. The image being circulated as memes may not be the Senator's most flattering one, but has turned out to be very profitable. Sanders' campaign sold sweatshirts and t-shirts featuring his inauguration day image to raise the money. 

"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 AFP. The amount will be donated to Meals on Wheels America. 

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