Totes of Appreciation (TOA) was created to celebrate the dedication, passion, and lasting influence of educators. Through exclusive, uplifting events, TOA honors teachers with a heartfelt message: you are seen, you are valued, and you make a difference.
The first event in 2022 welcomed 200 teachers in Niles, OH, originally conceived as a way to ease classroom supply costs during a time of inflation. The overwhelming response—and emotional impact on organizers—sparked a powerful movement. Just four years later, TOA has grown to reach 800 educators through annual events in Niles and Erie, PA.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers from Gracylane and the generous support of sponsors like The Cafaro Foundation, Big Ideas Learning, The Grand Resort’s Med Spa, and Vera Bradley, every attending teacher receives over $125 worth of classroom supplies—completely free.
But TOA is about more than supplies. It’s a celebration of community and professional growth. Each event features inspiring speakers and educational leaders, including Dr. Charisse Nixon (Penn State Behrend), Dr. Courtney Nagle (Big Ideas Learning), and Dr. Mary Jo Melvin (PennWest Edinboro). These women have not only shaped their fields—they’ve inspired thousands of fellow educators.
In addition, local organizations—such as the Erie County Library, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Junior Achievement chapters, Medici Museum of Art, Hagen History Center, and Asbury Woods—offer valuable classroom resources, enrichment programs, and field trip opportunities.
Every TOA gathering is filled with fun, gratitude, and connection. From basket raffles donated by Gracylane vendors to photo ops and refreshments, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Most importantly, it’s a space for teachers to recharge, reconnect, and be reminded of the value they bring to their communities.
The true impact of TOA isn’t measured in dollars—it’s seen in the smiles, heard in the thank-yous, and felt in the renewed spirits of teachers who leave knowing they matter. That joy is the reason we do this—and what keeps us coming back, year after year.