Red Mittens — 3.5 million pairs sold and worn with pride
More than 3.5 million pairs of 2010 Red Mittens bought in the past five months.
Got yours?
Sold out at Christmas, a hot item on e-Bay, gifts for visiting friends and the famous — and worn with pride from coast to coast to coast during the Olympic Torch Relay.
Those Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens...a memorable campaign to show support for Canadian athletes and the 2010 Games.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) says more than 3.5 million pairs have been bought during the five-month campaign.
“To everyone who bought a pair of Red Mittens, who waved at a torchbearer in their community, who showed their spirit every day, or who wore them while cheering their team at the venues or while watching on television, we send a heartfelt 'thank you'," said John Furlong, VANOC's Chief Executive Officer.
"Red Mittens were more than a souvenir, they became the 'it' item to show support for the Games and we're grateful to everyone who literally wore their hearts on their hands. We also thank our partners, and particularly the Hudson's Bay Company and CTV, Canada's Olympic Network, for their strong support of the Red Mittens campaign,” said Furlong.
To quote from VANOC's March 5 news release: "Red Mittens have been seen on the hands of a prince, a premier, a prime minister, the IOC President and millions of proud Canadians and worldwide visitors."
VANOC hoped to sell a million pairs. Well, they surpassed that before Christmas, eh!
Net proceeds from every pair of Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens sold help complete the funding of the five-year Own the Podium 2010 initiative, which provided Canadian athletes with top Games-related equipment and training. Any additional funds raised through the Red Mittens campaign support a variety of 2010 Winter Games athlete- and sport-based initiatives.
O Canada!
Trail, British Columbia: Day 87 — Olympic Torch Relay Community Celebration.
