Rabbi Fred Greene from Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell said North Fulton Community Charities and The Cottage School have one thing in common: they lend a helping hand to those who need it and who then turn around to help others. Greene is on the board for the North Fulton Community Charities and his daughter Yael goes to The Cottage School, a school in Roswell for students with special learning needs. This year, the two are coming together to host and benefit from the annual Rise and Run 5K Sept. 8.

“It’s another opportunity for folks to be able to see that there are important issues going on in our community, there are important ways to support and sustain folks who are deserving of a chance,” Greene said.

Students from The Cottage School have worked with North Fulton Community Charities before, helping with food drives, the thrift store and the school’s Senior Days of Service.

“It’s all about helping each other,” said The Cottage School’s Advancement and Community Relations Manager Lesley Masisak.

“For so many of our students, getting that little extra help from a school like ours makes all the difference, and with NFCC the people can get that little bit of extra help that sometimes makes the difference between homelessness or not. It’s a lot of the same thing.”

Proceeds from the race will go toward tuition assistance at The Cottage School and programs at the NFCC Education Center.

Eden Purdy, program director at NFCC, said the race will help buy GED study materials and fund scholarships for the GED test.

“It’s really neat because where The Cottage School’s focus is on children and educating that next generation, our focus is on adults,” Purdy said. “We help young adults, middle-aged adults and also seniors to basically improve their lives.”

The race will take place Sept. 8 at 7:30 a.m. rain or shine. It will start at Hembree Springs Elementary School at 815 Hembree Road in Roswell and will wind through Hembree Park and nearby neighborhoods. Registration is $25 until Sept. 4, $30 on race day and $15 for the 1K fun run. Participants can register at the Big Peach Running Company at 5530 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta or by mailing a registration form and check payable to NFCC to 11270 Elkins Road, Roswell Ga. 30076.

Information: www.nfcchelp.org/road-race-2012/