Doni's Crew

Justin Oswald has always had big dreams, but what distinguishes him from others is his ability to take the actions necessary to make those dreams - be it climbing Mt Kilimanjaro to running a contemporary art gallery - into realities.

Justin currently lives in Portland, OR where he could be considered the unofficial official mayor of Bothwick Street.  An active supporter of the arts since his time spent at Lewis & Clark College, Justin is in his sixth year on the board of directors at p:ear, an organization that serves disadvantaged youth in Portland. During his spare time Justin works as an event planner, specializing in fundraising, and traveling.

Up for any adventure Justin jumped at the opportunity to take DONI, his goat, to New York City to participate in the procession of the animals at St. John the Devine on St Francis day.  Justin quickly realized DONI's potential to initiate meaningful relationships and break down barriers of judgment.  DONI helps raise awareness for the issues surrounding disadvantaged youth and the social injustices; specifically youth homelessness. 

Please join Justin and Doni to help them get the word out.

Marilyn DeVault completed her masters degree in special education in the 1970's at PSU and taught students with disabilities for several years before making a career change. 

In 1978 Marilyn opened the award winning Piece of Cake Bakery and, as the bakery grew, she focused her baking on meeting the special dietary needs of her patrons. Her Portland State training and teaching experience inspired her to address special dessert food needs. She has developed formulas that are gluten-free and vegan, and able to meet the needs of many children with autism on gluten-free diets. What a treat that Piece of Cake can make their birthday cakes that are delicious and healthy for these children!!

At this point in her life, Marilyn would like to give back. She enlisted her prior PSU advisor and professor, Dr. Steve Brannan, to help create the Marilyn DeVault scholarship.
Recipients will be graduate students in special education interested in meeting the needs of children with autism, a population that has been increasing each year. 

Piece of Cake Bakery is raising money to provide scholarships to graduate students at Portland State University preparing to become special education teachers. Please help develop this student scholarship for special education teachers interested in helping children with Autism. Your donation would be targeted to support graduate students who are preparing to teach children with Autism and related special needs. The scholarship is a tax -deductible gift. Pay online at www.foundation.pdx.edu and please write: Marilyn DeVault Scholarship.

Thank you for your thoughtful generosity.

Caitlin Mitchell is a portrait and fashion photographer in New York City.  Born and raised in Alaska, she attended the Williston-Northhampton school in Massachusetts and graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a B.A. in Communication.  Caitlin has made her living as a photographer since 2002 and has extensive experience shooting in both studio and outdoor environments.  She lives in the West Village and enjoys running, oysters and la chasse aux papillons.

Caitlin will be joing Doni from Portland to New York City.

http://www.caitlinmitchellphotography.com/

347.423.4072

Dorie Vollum is an arts advocate, adventurer and amateur photographer who lives in Portland Oregon. She has traveled to 6 out of the 7 continents but this will be her first transcontinental drive across the USA  and her first drive anywhere with a goat. 


Dorie will be joining Doni from New York City to Portland.  

Abby Topolsky is a native San Franciscan and a self-described 'city person', who prides herself on having lived in any American "city" worth living in.  So far these include but are not limited to Portland, New York, LA and obviously San Francisco (current residence).  Abby also enjoys visiting rural areas, and anywhere involving mountains and bodies of water.  

Abby enjoys shooting the breeze, talking shop, and generally moving and shaking - and has found that a profession in Marketing and Communications allows her to do this and receive payment in return.  Always up for a new adventure, Abby jumped at the chance to check 'cross country trip' off her bucket list (hopefully also performing a one handed push up along the way, and maybe writing a novel during the trip as well, thereby potentially killing three birds with one stone), and to help spread Doni's message nationally. 

Abby will be joining Doni from New York City to Portland. 

Trent Finlay was born in Portland, Oregon and adopted into the same family as his biological half-sister by pure coincidence.  Trent spent his formative years in Centralia, Washington learning to play a plethora of musical instruments and refining an ear for audio production.  After college, Trent moved back to Portland with his indie-rock band, Wester Daywick.

Trent jumped head-first into the nonprofit world of fundraising, event planning, and currently manages the social media for KZME Radio and p:ear.  When not utilizing his skills in graphic design, audio/video production and happen-making to raise excitement and awareness for his projects, Trent enjoys encouraging his girlfriend’s kids to pick up after themselves and is a die-hard fan of kittens.

Trent is the Online Coordinator of Doni's trek across the country. While he won't be on the road with Doni physically, it is Trent's mission to make sure Doni's website and social media stay up-to-date. . .and that Doni doesn't pee on the keyboard.

Connect with Trent: