The History of Grindstone

THE HISTORY OF GRINDSTONE

Everything has a history and this is ours. This charity was founded by two young women who were positively impacted by the sport of hockey throughout their lives. Not a big corporation, just two individuals based out of small town Kelowna, BC. They wanted to create the opportunity for others to enjoy and experience the game that had provided them so much in their own lives. So in 2014, Sasha Podolchak and Danielle Grundy started the process of creating The Grindstone Award Foundation. It didn’t take long before it took off and became a national movement, having a rippling effect on families across Canada.

timeline_pre_loader
2014

Fall 2014

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.

Dec 2, 2014

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

Dec 21, 2014

Grindstone Award Foundation

Sasha and Danielle created the Grindstone Logo.

2015

Mar, 2015

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

CBC News Publishes Story

Read More

Aug, 2015

Sponsored very 1st player, Johanna Hoek.

2016

Feb 1, 2016

CRA received official charity application.

June 20, 2016

CRA Approves Grindstone Award Foundation as an official Canadian Registered Charity

Aug 2016

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

2017

Jan 5, 2017

Danielle Grundy asked by Sportsnet Producer to be featured on Hockey Night in Canada on Chevy’s Power of Play – highlighting those who were making positive contributions to their communities.

April 13, 2017

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

July 2017

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

Aug 2017

Grindstone sponsored 10 young female hockey players.

Dec 2017

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

2018

March 2018

Grindstone runs first event with the Toronto Furies of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

May 2018

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

July 2018

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

August 2018

169 Grant Applications Received

Sept 2018

Sponsored 30 young female hockey players.

Fall 2018

CWHL Logo

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

2019

July 2019

Charity Weekend in Kelowna grows, bringing Natalie Spooner as a special guest and offering 3 events.

August 2019

October 2019

After 5+ years at the helm of the charity, Founder & President Danielle Grundy made the difficult decision to resign.

2020

June 2020


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

Oct 2020


Grindstone reaches milestone of sponsoring 100 young female hockey players.

2021

March 2021

Jehan Jiwa joins the Grindstone Award Foundation as Vice President.

May 2021


Grindstone receives 25 sets of equipment from NHLPA Goals & Dreams

Oct 2021


Grindstone joins PWHPA as Charity Partner for Secret Dream Gap Tour

2022

January 2022

National Women’s Team Plays for Grindstone on Family Feud Canada

Video credit: CBC

March 2022


Grindstone welcomes Jayna Hefford as Ambassador

April 2022

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