Donald Straight's Fundraiser
Off The Mask 2024: Embrace Your True Self with NAMI-NYS
Join me and help make a difference,your contribution helps us get one step closer to our goal of creating a world where mental health is valued and accessible for everyone. Make a meaningful impact by donating today!
Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
Deborah Conrad
I donated in support of this campaign.
$50
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Michael Chagnon
"Keep up the good work!"
$100
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Charleen Hutchins
I donated in support of this campaign.
$25
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Todd Svarczkopf
I donated in support of this campaign.
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Lisa McKeel
I donated in support of this campaign.
$25
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Esther Powell
"Proud of you!"
$20
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Tony Powell
I donated in support of this campaign.
$250
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Matthew Fent
"I'm so glad you are an acting ambassador and advocate in the fight to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health. "
$25
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Amy Guiney
I donated in support of this campaign.
$25
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Billijean Elliott
I donated in support of this campaign.
$25
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Joel Foisy
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
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Jim Fryer
"thanks so much for doing this work!"
$25
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Julianne Paquin
"I admire your honesty and openness! Congratulations on your journey."
$25
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Julianne Paquin
I donated in support of this campaign.
$25
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Theresa LaPage
"I’ve been a fan of your #betterness journey from the start. You are an inspiration."
$25
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Rachel McCallus
"We need to raise awareness about mental health, and remove the stigma attached to it!"
$25
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Donna Bourdon
"What a much needed initiative ~ with heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Don for sharing his personal story and for spearheading this campaign. "
$50
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Art Palmer
I donated in support of this campaign.
$10
A supporter of Donald Straight
"To your intentional betterness journey and all the great things you’ll continue to do to destigmatize mental health conditions. Very grateful to you!"
$100
A supporter of Donald Straight
"Thank you"
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Charlene Dumas
"I very much respect your sharing your personal struggles and your determination to raise awareness and understanding of the issue of mental illness."
$50
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Theresa LaPage
"You are an inspiration, and I admire your dedication to #betterness."
$25
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Sandra Bubb
"Jonathan and I both suffer from depression and anxiety and I’m glad you’re making progress in your journey and raising funds for a good cause. Sandra"
$50
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Thomas & Linda Macaulay
I donated in support of this campaign.
$25
I am Donald Straight, I turned 58 on August 12, I'm happily married to my wife of over 34 years (Wendy), and we have a teenage son who has just begun high school. I completed a BA and MA in mathematics and NYS Teacher certification in 1988, and am now retired from a rewarding 35-year career in education! I taught high school math for 15 years and math education at the college level for 20 years subsequently. I enjoy photography and have spent professional levels of money to support that hobby! I'm searching for the most purposeful ways to spend the years I have in retirement.
I've battled excess weight my entire life, and was bullied (teased?) in younger years. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for several decades; the infertility my wife and I experienced exacerbated that. Current lifestyle changes were motivated while tracking St. Lawrence County COVID data in 2020. I refer to my personal journey as a path toward "#betterness"!
I find openness and transparency empowering, particularly through personal conversations and my presence on Facebook. I've had a lot of people tell me they would never have known I dealt with anxiety and depression. I wore the mask well. I'm an excellent listener, and others have often commented positively on my level of genuine concern and consideration for them, in various contexts. For the last several years, I've been intentionally transparent in an effort to further reduce the stigma associated with openness about mental health; I've learned for myself it's just as critical as physical health!