Holtby, wife launch 'Get off the Bench for Racial Equality' auction

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby and his wife, Brandi, launched a "Get off the Bench for Racial Equality" auction Monday to benefit Black Lives Matter DC and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

The couple donated $5,000 to each organization and will match the funds raised by the auction, which is being held on Handbid and runs until noon ET on Friday. Items available for bidding include a custom autographed piece of wood artwork featuring a silhouette of Holtby over his jersey number, an autographed Holtby jersey, an autographed Holtby puck, and additional memorabilia signed by Capitals players such as Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Tom Wilson.

Holtby has been among several NHL players to speak out against racial injustice following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. Holtby said June 5 that he and Brandi were in the process of formulating a plan for how they can become more involved.

"I don't believe in a one stop type of thing," Holtby said. "I believe in supporting causes or organizations that are going to do good for a long time."

RELATED: [Holtby speaks out on racial injustice]

Holtby, the Capitals' Hockey is for Everyone ambassador, has long been an advocate against discrimination. He and Brandi have participated in Washington's annual Capital Pride Parade, supporting LGBTQ rights, three of the past four years. They missed the event in 2018 when the Capitals were in the Stanley Cup Final.

After demonstrators took to the streets in cities nationwide, including Washington, following Floyd's death, Brandi posted a statement on her Twitter account June 2 from her and Braden expressing their support. Braden shared a longer statement on his account the next day.

"The injustice and hatred-infused power we've seen recently is anything but new," the 30-year-old wrote. "To say there have been improvements is very naive. In today's age of information and communication at our fingertips, the change is far too minimal. The amount of inhumane, hate based, racial crimes that have been committed in the centuries of American history is enough to make your skin crawl in discomfort and your eyes well with tears. Yet it's still happening. In 2020."

By supporting Black Lives Matter DC and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Holtbys are backing their words with action. Black Lives Matter DC is dedicated to promoting strategies that empower oppressed black people in Washington.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has a diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations and 100 staff focused on promoting and protecting the rights of all persons in the United States. The conference recently led more than 430 civil rights organizations in calling on congress to rectify the legacy of anti-black racism that has led to police violence against black people across the country.

"Brandi and I have kind of focused more on the human rights campaign in the past because it hit a wide spectrum for us dealing with LGBTQ issues and racial issues the main two things," Holtby said. "But as we learn more, as we see the world changing in front of us, we're looking into trying to find different options as well as sticking with that to just really make sure that we're finding ways to do all we can and try to do our part as much we can."

Tweet from @Holts170: I couldn���t find the words to say. And still haven���t. But I had to try. #BlackLivesMattter pic.twitter.com/skd8Zfs6ff