Due to the anticipated heavy rainfall and flooding expected to impact North and Central Texas and the unpredictability of this storm, along with concerns for the safety of students, volunteers, vendors and spectators, for the first time in 16 years the Frisco Education Foundation has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2015 RBFCU Gary Burns Fun Run.
This decision was made in collaboration with local officials and weather experts, who have stressed that the storm presents potentially dangerous conditions.
While refunds are not provided for cancellations due to inclement weather, your support of the run will help provide funding for college scholarships for graduating Frisco ISD seniors, grants to FISD educators and the Mindbender Academy, which is a science, technology, engineering, art, and math camp for FISD middle school students. A time will be set at a later date for registrants who were unable to pick-up their T-shirts before the race.
"We regret the inconvenience caused by this change as we work to prioritize participant safety," said Foundation Director Allison Miller. "It is disappointing for all of us, particularly our wonderful sponsors, dedicated volunteers and the many faithful participants who join us year after year in support of this great cause. Your continued efforts on the behalf of the Foundation and the Frisco ISD are greatly appreciated."
The event, which is the Foundation’s major fundraiser of the year, also provides funding for the Gary Burns Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded each spring to graduating Frisco ISD high school seniors.
Gary Burns is a former Frisco Assistant Fire Chief, who was known for his support of FISD students and people in need.
The scholarship awarded in his honor has had a tremendous impact on students over the years, as evidenced by these accounts from past recipients:
Chelsea Hobbs (Duran), Class of 2007
Born and raised in Frisco, I have always known of the Burns family and Mr. Burns' impact on the community of Frisco. I had always admired giving back to the community, just as he did, so I set forth to involve myself in various events in the community and in my church. Receiving this scholarship meant that I would be the first child/grandchild to go to college, which in and of itself was a tremendous honor. I graduated from The Art Institute of California-San Diego in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Marketing and Management. After relocating back to Frisco in 2012, I landed my dream job and currently work as an Assistant Buyer in the Women's division of the JCPenney Corporate Offices. The impact of Mr. Burns' legacy has never left me, so in an effort to give back to the Foundation and the scholarship that opened so many doors in my life, I donate each month to the Gary Burns Memorial Scholarship. I am so thankful to the family of Gary Burns and for the Frisco Education Foundation for placing their faith in me and blessing me with the opportunity to chase my dreams!
Ethan Monreal-Jackson, Class of 2008
When I was ten years old, my mom told me she wasn’t going to be able to pay for my college education. As a single mother raising three boys, it was a struggle for her just to give us enough to eat. In 2008, I was blessed to receive the Gary Burns Memorial Scholarship. Among Princeton, Columbia, and the other great institutions to which I was admitted, I chose to attend the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate in the Wharton School. This was possible because the scholarship, along with the many others I received, enabled me to go to college and choose the one that was the best fit for me regardless of cost. But more importantly, the scholarships I received enabled my mom to contribute what she could to my brothers’ education when they went to college. I’ve had so many opportunities due to the generosity of others both personal and professional, but the greatest opportunity I’ve had is to be given so much that I can now give back to my family, friends, and community. That’s what you enable as a supporter of the Frisco Education Foundation through the Gary Burns Fun Run. That’s how you contribute to his legacy of supporting students and those who are less fortunate. My family and I thank you for your support.
Annie Lu, Class of 2012
Now reflecting back as a senior at Harvard, I've realized that the Frisco Education Foundation's Gary Burns Memorial Scholarship has given me the extraordinary opportunity to access an incredible college experience. I have been able to discuss complex issues with classmates from diverse backgrounds and all around the world, to travel internationally, to organize global 3,000-attendee events, and to learn and contribute to the newest research efforts in fascinating areas of study. Through Harvard, I was also able to do a two-month internship in Tokyo last summer for a business education consulting company. During this internship, besides teaching leadership, language, and presentation skills to students at a week-long camp, I also helped build a new internship platform aiming to connect ambitious students with top innovative companies in Asia. On campus, I helped found Harvard College Dance Marathon, an event held annually to fundraise and support the pediatric cancer patients at Boston Children's Hospital. I'm also heavily involved in Harvard National Model United Nations, the oldest and largest collegiate model UN conference, and am currently serving as Director-General for the 2016 session. All of these amazing experiences would not have been possible without the generous scholarship from the Frisco Education Foundation. I want to personally thank all those who support FEF through the Gary Burns Fun Run – it makes me very grateful and proud to have made it this far in my college journey with the wonderful support from people back home in Frisco.
Since 1999, the Frisco Education Foundation has awarded more than $3,660,000 in college scholarships to 4,200 graduating seniors and more than $470,000 to educators to fund innovative ideas that benefit teaching and learning in the classroom.
Click here for additional details regarding the Fun Run.