WW28 raises $3900 in support of Diabetes Canada at second StFX Game

On Friday, January 31, Mark Woolley and Woolley’s Warriors, in partnership with St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), hosted the second WW28 Night, raising $3,900 in support of Diabetes Canada.

The event, held at a StFX X-Men hockey game, featured a 50/50, Chuck-A-Puck, a Silent Auction, and special edition WW28 merchandise. With the immense support displayed at the Keating Centre, WW28 was able to surpass last season’s total of $3,075 raised.

“Thank you to everybody who came out for the second Woolley’s Warriors game hosted by StFX Athletics at the Keating Centre,” founder of Woolley’s Warriors, Mark Woolley, shared. “It is a really special feeling to see the town of Antigonish, along with StFX students, rally together and fill the rink to support such an important cause. This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the university, as well as my teammates and coaches. I’m proud of our community for working together to raise funds and spread awareness for those living with Type 1 diabetes.” 

WW28 extends a gracious thank-you to the StFX Athletic Department for their continued support, the StFX Men’s hockey team for standing with the cause, and everyone who made the event possible.

Connect with Woolley’s Warriors on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.


WW28 raises over $1,600 at Rinks to Links Golf Classic

Woolley’s Warriors is proud to have raised over $1,600 in support of Diabetes Canada while activating at the 2024 Bonvie MacDonald Rinks to Links Golf Classic on June 21.

The Bonvie MacDonald Rinks to Links Golf Classic, held at the Antigonish Golf & Country Club, strives to be a way for founders Dennis Bonvie and Craig MacDonald to give back to their home community. The pair, through Rinks to Links, carry the commitment to raise funds for boys and girls who cannot afford to play minor hockey. Additional beneficiaries of the tournament have included Big Brothers Big Sisters, Antigonish Early Childhood Intervention, Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation, the Jordon Myles Foundation, and St. Martha’s Hospital Paediatric Department.

This year, Woolley’s Warriors and Mark Woolley were invited to attend the tournament to raise funds in support of Diabetes Canada.

Woolley’s Warriors wishes to extend a gracious thank-you to Dennis Bonvie and Craig MacDonald for the opportunity to help continue expanding WW throughout the East Coast while also getting to connect personally with members of the Antigonish community.

“This past weekend, WW was honoured to be a part of the event and enjoy an amazing day of golf and good fun with a beautiful view of town on hole nine,” WW founder Mark Woolley shared of the day. “A special thank you to both Dennis and Craig for having me out, but also to every individual I had the pleasure of meeting that took the time to listen to my story and generously donated to the initiative.”

Learn more about the Bonvie and MacDonald Rinks to Links Golf Classic here.

Connect with Woolley’s Warriors on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

WW28 raises over $3000 in support of Diabetes Canada at inaugural StFX Game

On Friday, November 17, Mark Woolley and Woolley’s Warriors, in partnership with St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), hosted the inaugural WW28 Night, raising $3,075 in support of Diabetes Canada.

The event, held at a StFX X-Men hockey game, recognized Diabetes Awareness Month, featuring a 50/50, Chuck-A-Puck, and special edition WW28 merchandise.

“Thank you very much to everyone that has welcomed WW28 to the east coast. StFX has been more than supportive in helping raise awareness for those living with Type 1,” founder of Woolley’s Warriors, Mark Woolley, shared. “This was a very special night that I am looking forward to bringing back next year! Thank you again to everybody who helped make it such a success.”

WW28 extends a gracious thank-you to the StFX Athletic Department for their continued support, the StFX Men’s hockey team for standing with the cause, and everyone who made this inaugural event possible.

Connect with Woolley’s Warriors on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

A message to WW28 supporters

To my Warriors, 

Everything Woolley’s Warriors has accomplished so far within the diabetic community still blows my mind to this day. With over $65,000 donated to Diabetes Canada over four years since the launch in August 2019… money that helps send children living with Type 1 Diabetes to summer camps where they have an opportunity to be in a supportive and fun environment filled with others also living with Type 1. None of what WW28 has accomplished so far would be possible without the continued support from all of you! 

I know that our social media platforms have been quiet over the last year or so, but I would like to explain why and what my personal life has looked like over the last little while. 

After finishing my major junior hockey career in Owen Sound, I decided to continue my education and committed to the St. Francis Xavier (StFX) Men’s Hockey team for the 2022-23 season. This was an opportunity for me to begin working toward an undergraduate business degree while also continuing to pursue my passion and love for the game of hockey. Moving out to the East Coast was a big moment in my life that included lots of change and time for adapting. With that being said, I have loved every second so far in Nova Scotia and I can’t wait to get back out east for my second year at STFX. 

Now that I am settled into my new lifestyle in Nova Scotia, I would like to continue using my platform to raise awareness for those living with diabetes. WW28 is coming to the East Coast this fall and I hope you will stay tuned for all we have planned so far to bring this movement for diabetes awareness to the Maritimes. 

I’m excited to be back on this journey and can’t wait to meet all of the new NS Warriors!

Mark Woolley

Connect with Woolley’s Warriors on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

WW28 donates $25,000 to Diabetes Canada

On Wednesday, April 13, prior to the Owen Sound Attack game versus the Barrie Colts, Mark Woolley proudly presented Diabetes Canada with a $25,000 donation.

The donation is Woolley’s second donation since launching Woolley’s Warriors in September 2019. Following over $40,000 raised and donated through the initiative’s first two years, Woolley and WW28 have now surpassed over $65,000 despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WW28 began with the goal of sending kids to D-Camps and ultimately connecting those living with diabetes through sharing Woolley’s personal story, while also building a platform for others to share. Now an Ontario Hockey League overager, Woolley was originally diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 after his older brother Matt had also been diagnosed at birth. Woolley continues to meet and connect with diabetic youth and young athletes in addition to his fundraising efforts.

Part of Woolley’s fundraising included partnering with the Attack on the second annual Woolley’s Warriors Night held on February 26. The event raised over $19,500, incredibly surpassing the inaugural WW28 Night’s efforts of $2,500 raised and 10 wardrobe-sized boxes of clothing and household items in November 2019.

On hand for the presentation was Diabetes Canada’s Community Engagement Coordinator Lindsay Wig, who has been an exceptional support of WW28.

Most notably, the overwhelming success of WW28 would not have been possible – specifically following the last two years – without the support of so many who donated both financially and through genuine support.

“At the start of this season, if you would have told me we would have had a WW28 Night that raised almost $20,000, only to follow it up with a $25,000 donation this year, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Woolley reflected. “I remember when WW28 first started – we had a goal of being able to send a few kids to camp, and now seeing how far we come and the impact we’ve been able to have is truly amazing. I can’t thank each and every person who has shown us such strong support enough for making this possible.”

ABOUT DIABETES CANADA

Diabetes Canada works tirelessly to advocate for and support Canadians living with diabetes with helpful resources, education, research, and more. We’re Canada’s source for facts about diabetes care, prevention, and finding a cure.

Connect with Woolley’s Warriors on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.