The History of Grindstone

Sasha Podolchak and Danielle Grundy had a brainchild and thought “why not create a charity that helps female hockey players who can’t afford to play”?

Always a barrier breaker: Danielle created her own Women’s Hockey Camps called Grundy’s Grind between 2009-2014 which provided women the rare opportunity to learn the game of hockey. During 2013-2016 she became very involved in girls hockey as the Head Female Development Coach for Kelowna Minor Hockey. Grindstone was the perfect continuation of those previous efforts.

Danielle and Sasha began the steps of working towards becoming a registered charity and lawyers formed the Trust Deed.

Sasha and Danielle created the first Grindstone Logo.

Danielle Grundy created a non-profit charity called the Grindstone Award Foundation that aims to help girls involved in hockey.

CBC News Story

Sponsored very 1st player, Johanna Hoek.

CRA received official charity application.

CRA Approved Grindstone Award Foundation as an official Canadian Registered Charity

Sponsored 2 players female players; with a grant and equipment with the help of Play It Again Sports.

Chevy’s Power of Play segment on Danielle Grundy aired on Hockey Night in Canada and awareness of the charity increased.

1st Annual Charity Tournament was held in West Kelowna, BC. It raised over $10,000.

Grindstone sponsored 10 young female hockey players.

Danielle Grundy built the first Board of Directors; growing the Grindstone team to 8 passionate individuals.

Grindstone ran first event with the Toronto Furies of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL).

Melissa Talaro donated $10,000 from her Whistler Spring Fling Tournament and Grindstone offered “Try Hockey for Free in Whistler” for the first time.

2nd Annual Charity Tournament. Over 140 women, 90 young girls, 25 coaches and 40+ volunteers came together.

Sponsored 30 young female hockey players.

Official Partnership with the CWHL announced and charity offered 3 events with the Calgary Inferno, Toronto Furies and Markham Thunder.

Charity Weekend in Kelowna grew, brought Natalie Spooner as a special guest and offered 3 events.

Sponsored 50 young female hockey players

The Grindstone Award Foundation Board of Directors elected Laura Oliver as the charity’s new President.

Grindstone reached the milestone of having sponsored 100 young female hockey players.

Jehan Jiwa joined the Grindstone Award Foundation as Vice President.

Grindstone received 25 sets of equipment from NHLPA Goals & Dreams to donate to eligible girls and their families

Grindstone joined PWHPA as Charity Partner for Secret Dream Gap Tour

National Women’s Team, led by Natalie Spooner, played for Grindstone on Family Feud Canada

Video credit: CBC

Canucks for Kids Fund donated $20,000 to Grindstone as part of their celebration of Gender Equality

Danielle Bell was named the new President of the Grindstone Board of Directors

Grindstone reached the milestone of having sponsored 200 young female hockey players.

Canucks for Kids Fund donated $20,000 to Grindstone as part of their celebration of Gender Equality.

Crank that siren! Grindstone board member, Melissa Talaro, was honoured as “BCLC Community Hero” at Canucks game

Toronto Sceptres forward, Emma Woods, became a Grindstone Ambassador

Grindstone updated our logo to celebrate our Canadian roots

Grindstone reached the milestone of sponsoring 100 girls in a single season!

Grindstone became the official charity partner of the Hockey Barbie campaign in collaboration with Tim Hortons and the PWHL

BGO, Menkes Development, and One York Street, with support from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams, teamed up to provide a special day for 20 Grindstone grant recipients.

Canucks for Kids Fund donated another $20,000 to Grindstone, for a total of $100,000 over 5 years.

Grindstone appoints Marianna (MJ) Locke as its first Executive Director