Erik and Melinda Karlsson launch anti-bullying charity

A new charity set up by Ottawa Senatorscaptain Erik Karlsson and his wifeMelindalaunched Sunday nightwith a walk to raise funds for anti-bullying programsin Ottawa schools.

Hundreds of supporters including several of Karlsson'steammates, city councillors and Mayor Jim Watson attended the first annual fundraising event for the couple'snew charity, Can't Dim My Light.

"Thousands of kids and teenagers deal with this on a daily basis and most of them don't have the support to deal with it," Eriksaid during his opening remarks.

"That's something we would like to help change."

'Being bullied is entering a fight that you didn't sign up for'

6 years ago

Duration 0:49

Erik and Melinda Karlsson speak at the first annual Walk For Light to raise money for anti-bullying programs in Ottawa schools.

The $50,000 raised will go to the Ottawa organization Proud To Be Me andwill be used to offer six-weekanti-bullying workshops in local high schools.

It will also helpput "buddy benches" on the playgrounds of Ottawa elementary schools, said Proud to be me CEO Cindy Cutts.

She said the bench initiative is especially important forelementary-age children when someonesits on one of the benches during recess, it signals to others that they're feeling sad or lonely and could use a friend.

The benches are already in place at several Ottawa elementary schools, though Cutts said they plan to expand the program to all schools in the Ottawaarea.

'It doesn't just affect the kids'

Many walking had personal stories of how bullying had affected them.

Scott Vernon recalled having a conversation with his middle-school child, who was experiencing bullying at school.

"When I was talking with her this week I remember being bullied at work," he said.

"This is really important it doesn't just affect the kids, it affects everybody."

City councillor Allan Hubleylost his 15-year-oldson Jamieto suicide in 2011and has been an outspoken advocate of anti-bullying efforts ever since.

During their opening remarks, the Karlssons announced they would be donating two "buddy benches" themselves one in honour of JonathanPitreand the other in the memory ofHubley'sson.

Hubleysaid the concept of the "buddy benches" may helppeople realize how important it is to reach out to others.

"Having someone to talk to often makes your troubles feel a little lighter," he said.

Brush with cyberbullying

Cuttssaid she met with Melinda Karlsson over a year ago to discuss how the two organizations might work together.

However, since then, the Karlssonsthemselves have had a brush with cyberbullying.

The couple said over 1,000 derogatory onlinecomments have been posted about them comments they've alleged were made by the girlfriend of Karlsson'sthen-teammateMike Hoffman.

MonikaCaryk, Hoffman's girlfriend, has denied making the posts.

Cyberbullying especially is something kids have a tough time dealing with, Watson said, because it follows them wherever they go.

"You come home [from school] and you open up your laptop and there is bullying all over again," he said.

"I think we have to do a better job as a society letting people know that there is help available."