This year's Feast of Ideas will feature a dinner of small-plates stations by Chef Demond Germany with a cash bar available. Be prepared to be inspired by middle schooler Guests of Honor, and empowered to give to this important work.

No raffle baskets; no silent auctions. There will be opportunities to invest with intentionality throughout the night both through small, impactful donations and larger financial contributions that will empower middle schoolers in our community.

2024 Feast of Ideas Community Champions

Community Champions have been a part of the Feast of Ideas since 2019. They are leaders in the community who have proven to be advocates for middle schoolers. During the Feast, the Community Champions will facilitate the interviews with our middle school Guests of Honor. Community Champions are entrusted with ensuring our Guests of Honor are celebrated, respected, and heard.

Jeff Dafler leads a dedicated team of professionals serving the Chamber’s 1,850 members and cultivating economic growth and community vitality across the greater Canton region.

Before being named President and CEO by the Board of Directors, he served for three years as the organization’s Vice-President—Economic Development and Public Policy.

Prior to joining the Canton Regional Chamber team, he founded The Dafler Company, providing strategy, policy, and communication consulting services to help clients navigate an increasingly complex public landscape. He previously worked in corporate leadership roles at The Timken Company and NCR Corporation and served as a U.S diplomat in postings overseas and in Washington, D.C.

Dafler holds bachelor’s degrees in international studies and French from Miami University, along with a master’s degree in communication from the University of Dayton. He serves on several community and nonprofit boards, including as vice chair of the CommQuest Services board.

Rachel Tecca Headshot

Rachel Tecca was hired as the first Executive Director of Youth Success Summit in November, 2023. Rachel has distinguished herself locally, regionally, and nationally as an innovative breakthrough leader dedicated to closing youth opportunity gaps.

In her role as Director of College and Career Academies and Chief of Leadership and Learning/Assistant Superintendent for Akron Public Schools, she was responsible for leading the district in the transformation to College and Career Academies of Akron (CCAA) ensuring all APS students graduate from high school prepared for college and a career to fuel Akron’s workforce.

Prior to her CCAA leadership roles, Rachel dedicated her career to serving youth with the greatest systemic barriers and inequities to success in a variety of leadership positions including as principal at North High School, with the largest population of English Learners in the state of Ohio, principal at an alternative school, Bridges Learning Center, for students with significant social-emotional and mental health needs, and as a teacher, supervisor, and director of special education.

James is a proud member of the Middlebury neighborhood where he lives with his wife Julia and daughter Jada.

It’s his great privilege to be a pastor and founding member at Citizens Akron Church.

When he isn’t serving the local church, he finds great joy in teaching high school theology at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy.

James serves on the board of directors for The Well CDC and is an alumnus of Malone University & Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

2024 Feast of Ideas Emcee

Mike Gallina Headshot

Mike Gallina, Vice President of Organizational Development & Community Engagement at Aultcare, will be this year's emcee!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is TomTod Ideas?
We are a youth development nonprofit working to change the conversation about middle schoolers. TomTod empowers middle schoolers to explore and launch ideas that put empathy and imagination into action to help their community thrive. We do this through Classes, Clubs, Camps, and Collabs. All programming is free to middle schoolers and their families, so donations from supporters like you make all this possible. You can learn more about TomTod at tomtodideas.org and by coming to the Feast!

Is this only for Canton people?
Heck no! We strategically chose The Reserve at Stone Creek for its location being smack dab in between Akron and Canton and its accessibility to Interstate 77 for ease of travel.

What is the Feast?
The Feast of Ideas is our annual fundraising gala! But it’s also so much more than that. It is a community-wide celebration of middle schoolers. We provide supporters with an exclusive experience to connect with middle schoolers and opportunities to give throughout the night. At the same time, the night centers around middle schoolers. Our Guests of Honor are celebrated and provided the opportunity to share their stories with caring adults (that's you!).

What will happen during the event?
Dinner will be served as small-plates at food stations. The Feast is catered this year by Chef Demond Germany from Scratch Steakhouse and Lounge. (yum!!)

Our Guests of Honor (middle schoolers from recent TomTod programming) will share their experience alongside Community Champions (adult community leaders who believe middle schoolers matter.) There will be opportunities to give throughout the program.

Is this a fundraiser?
Yes, indeed! The Feast will feature several opportunities to give or pledge a gift throughout the event. The ticket price helps cover a guest’s meal and experience and is not a tax-deductible donation.

What should I wear?
Don’t buy a new dress! Don’t rent a tux! Your investment in middle schoolers is more important to us. We ask that guests wear “Celebration Attire” that you already have in your closet. That being said, you are welcome to peruse photos from past Feasts to get an idea of what guests will wear.

Don't buy new, so you can give too!

When is the RSVP deadline?

Please RSVP by Sunday, April 28th.

I can’t make it. How do I donate?
We will miss you! Gifts can be made by mailing a check to TomTod Ideas at 439 Market Ave N, Canton, Ohio 44702 or by clicking the big blue button at the top of your screen!

Why is there a "tipping" option when I buy a ticket or donate?
It's kinda weird, we get it. The fundraising platform we use, Givebutter, is free to use; most platforms cost thousands of dollars a year for nonprofits! The way Givebutter is able to operate this way by asking you for a tip. This is completely optional to you and be adjusted to any level you'd like. If you have any questions about Givebutter please feel free to reach out.

Sponsors to date

To join our sponsor team, email danisia.jebose@tomtodideas.org

Inspire Sponsors

Imagine Sponsors

Illuminate Sponsors

Idea Sponsors

Friends of TomTod Sponsors

2024 Feast of Ideas

A night to invest in middle schoolers in our community.