Ending Bullying Together: A Pink Shirt Day Community Event

February 10, 2026

Childcare & Early Years

Young kids wearing pink shirts while holding their hands out in a pile.

Cobourg, ON – February 10, 2026 – In recognition of Pink Shirt Day, Northumberland County Early Years Services is partnering with EarlyON Northumberland, the MEHRIT Centre and local school boards throughout Northumberland, to host a free community conversation to promote kindness, and raise awareness and understanding around bullying at young ages. The event will take place on Saturday, February 28th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre in Cobourg, and is open to families, educators, early years professionals, and all community members.

Pink Shirt Day is an annual recognition that takes place on the last Wednesday of February, that raises awareness of issues surrounding bullying in schools, workplaces, home and online. The initiative started in Canada in 2007, when 12-th grade students bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a fellow student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Since then, this annual initiative has promoted kindness, inclusivity and acceptance. This year’s theme, “Sprinkle Kindness,” encourages everyone to take small but meaningful actions to foster inclusivity and respect. It is a playful reminder that kindness grows when it is shared.

This local event in recognition of Pink Shirt Day will feature a keynote presentation from Susan Hopkins, Executive Director of The MEHRIT Centre, on how children can better understand and manage their emotions, and how adults can support positive behaviour development. This presentation will look at bullying through the lens of the world-renowned Shanker Self-Reg® framework, to help us understand the underlying contributions to aggression and empathy and provide valuable insight into bullying at its core.

Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, join in a community conversation, and enjoy a complimentary light lunch. Childminding services will be available to all attendees – registration is required to confirm attendance and to pre-arrange childminding. All attendees are invited to wear pink shirts to the event to show their support in fostering a kind and inclusive community.

“Raising awareness about bullying at a young age is critical,” said County Early Years Services Manager Lesley Patterson. “By understanding the underlying behaviors that can lead to bullying, we can equip children, families, and educators with the tools to build empathy, kindness, and positive relationships. Small acts of kindness, when sprinkled throughout daily life, can make a lasting difference.”

This free, community-wide event promises to be an informative and welcoming space for families, community members, educators and Early Years professionals to come together, learn, and celebrate acts of kindness.

This Pink Shirt Day event is delivered in collaboration with the MEHRIT Centre, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNCCDSB).