Latest Updates
Week 16-Be Bravely, Beautifully, BOLDLY YOU!
16 weeks to go here until the NYC marathon with Team for Kids!
With my most recent trip to Tennessee to see my mom, brother and sister in law, I was excited to run with Cedar City Running Club at their club Tuesday Night run in Lebanon, Tennessee. Before we ran, my sister in law, who is new to running, expressed her anxiety about being a "slow" runner. We talked about this and as I ran later with the group run, she was in front of me. Tears welled in my eyes as I watched her run because this brave woman is strong in so many ways with most recently having overcome breast cancer. She is fearless, brave and bold and I am so very proud that she is putting herself out there with running. It is outside her comfort zone yet she is showing up to the group runs with a smile on and an incredible sweetness that makes everyone smile.
Team for Kids raises money to promote running related programs for schools across the US. As a teacher, cross country coach and as a runner myself, I want people to see the joy running or physical activity can bring to your life. The sense of accomplishment, sense of power and the absolute high that you just pushed yourself to do something that was hard is something I love and promote in teaching and coaching. We CAN do hard things.
This weeks lesson is push yourself to be your very favorite version of you! The one who is bold, brave and who is willing to run up mountains and dance in the rain.
So thank you to my sister in law, Sharon, for being my inspiration and lesson for running this week!
With 16 weeks to go, I have $423 to go to so please donate if you can or share with your friends!
Thank you to all who have donated and who are sharing my fundraising page!
Added on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 03:00 PM
19 Weeks: Lesson 1: You are NOT alone especially with running!
As I set out for my next training cycle for the NYC Marathon in November, I am so thankful for this group of people who are also running for charities.
Training is a commitment which requires dedication, determination and grit. AND to also fundraise while doing so adds to the challenge.
This week we started our official training with a group run, celebrating the commitment that the next 19 weeks will bring. We laughed at the heat and shared stories about latest runs. But mostly, we shared a moment in time together.
Each week I'll be posting my journey and the lessons I've learned along the way. My first lesson is no one gets to through life alone. It is the countless seen and unseen supports on the way that makes this journey possible. When running, and with life, it is who shows up in big ways and small ways that makes it all do-able. The texts, the smiles, the laughters, all build strength. When on a run I will often think of one person on each mile and recall everything I love about that person. By thinking of them, I use their energy to get me though the hill, mile or moment I am in.
So, Thank you to my people for continuing to inspire me to do, achieve and be a better version of myself. I am thankful I have you on this journey.
I have $643 to go for fundraising for Team for Kids. If you can, please consider donating!
More lessons to come!
Added on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Butler Run Day 5 and DONE!
37 miles
78 students
GOLD STARS go to all of the generous donors who helped make this run a success!
And 2025 Butler Student Appreciation Run is officially done with today’s 10 students in 2.5 miles!
I truly appreciate everyone’s generosity and support this year in my Team for Kids! This week we raised about 800$ and I am so close to reaching the $3000 goal so thank you!
I always wanted to be a teacher, playing school for hours with my stuffed animals and knowing this is what I want to do. My students and coworkers make my job fun and an adventure.
Living my best life here and capturing smiles along the way!
Ps thank you to Kelly for being my driver today!!!! ❤️
Added on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 01:28 PM
Butler Run Day 4
35 students
8.5 miles
2 missed houses
My two sons as road crew w coffee
Beach roses in bloom
And this sweet sign
Make someone smile today by being present
❤️
tomorrow is the last day of my Butler Student Run and my fundraiser for Team for Kids. Together we make a difference and I appreciate all the support!
Added on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 01:28 PM
Butler Run Day 3
Butler student appreciation run day 3 done!!!
7 miles
6 students
6 bridges
4 railroad crossings
But mostly todays run had
Miles to think about how much I love my work. It is hard, emotional, fulfilling, gut wrenching and yet I think about the smiles of the last student today, A. Yesterday she and 9 other girls ran a practice 5k with our girls on the run. Seeing her smiles, laughter and pride in herself during cross country , girls on the run and in my classroom fills my heart with joy each day.
I am so thankful I get to share my life with these amazing Butler School Bulldogs!
Thank you for your incredible donations this week to Team for Kids! Keep it coming!
Added on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Butler Student Appreciation Run Day 2
Butler student appreciation run day 2 is done!
5.49 miles
14 students
1 missed house
Munchkins for the MCAS day
And over $600 in donations raised for Team for kids!
I do this run also for me because it is a reminder that each student comes to school from their own lives, own families, own experiences. It is our uniqueness that makes us beautiful.
So thank you to my students for reminding me to see the beauty in every day!
To donate to Team for kids:
Fundraisers.nyrr.org/josalyn-burgess
Keep spreading kindness !
Added on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 03:39 PM
Butler Run Day 1
Butler Student Appreciation Run day 1 done!
13 students
7.9 miles
1 running peep
1 birthday son as a driver!
1 happy me!
Thank you to those who have donated to Team for Kids as we set out to make a difference in others lives.
Spread happiness every chance you get!
Today's first Gold Star goes to April Mendez who made a generous donation to Team for kids (https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/josalyn-burgess) and she ran with me this morning! I am thankful for my running club for introducing me to people who jump in and push me. On today's run she had to stop as she injured her ankle so i am hoping she heals quickly and gets back out there! Thank you April for today! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Added on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 03:56 PM
GOLD STARS!
We have our FIRST GOLD and BLUE STAR donors!
Thank you Chelsea, Ron and Carol for your generous donation to Team for Kids! Your belief in me and encouragement is felt!
Now on to finishing writing my student notes so they are ready to be delivered Monday, May 19!
Added on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 01:21 PM
Winners!
Thank you to all who participated in the the Super Bowl Square fundraiser! We were able to donate 780$ to Team for Kids and gave away $250 each quarter to 4 lucky winners!
Thank you all for helping me reach the halfway mark to go on this fundraising adventure!
:)
Josalyn
Added on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 07:32 PM
Feb. 7!
2 days to go until the Superbowl! Thank you to everyone for donating!
Added on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 07:45 PM
January 29 Update!
We know who is playing in the Superbowl but now we can dream about who will win the $250 per quarter from our NYC Marathon Superbowl squares! There are a few squares left so please venmo is Josalyn-Burgess-1.
Thank you to all who have contributed to my page directly and those who have bought squares!
Added on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 06:28 PM
January 17 Update!
Thank you all for supporting the NYC Marathon Superbowl squares! The hope is I'll be able to deposit $1000 to the fundraiser and pay out $1000 to some lucky winners!
There are a few squares left so please share with your friends. My venmo is Josalyn-Burgess-1.
Added on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 02:52 PM
