MARIETTA-A strong community is as extensive and far-reaching as the goodness it was built upon.

Building a sense of community, both literally and figuratively, is exactly what St. Joseph's School is striving toward by collecting tools for a service project to assist a community in Savannah.

During Catholic Schools Week, students and their families began collecting tools. The project is part of a mission outreach of the St. Joseph/Candler Health System, which employs Sister Pat Baber, RSM, former principal of St. Joseph's School.

The ministry has organized a "Tool Library" in the community center of Savannah's historic Cuyler-Brownsville neighborhood. The intent is for community members to borrow tools from the Tool Library and make repairs to their homes, as well as develop new skills and foster a sense of pride and ownership.

Sister Baber said that within the Cuyler-Brownsville neighborhood, 63 percent of the homes are considered substandard while 7 percent are considered condemned.

"If they can live in better surroundings, their spirit may be better, the neighborhood will be better and hopefully the landlords will be more involved and the city will keep it (the neighborhood) moving in a positive direction," she said.

St. Joseph's School is accepting an array of new and used tools, as well as gift certificates to Home Depot or Lowe's. Items on the wish list include hammers, tape measures, paint brushes, nails, washers, levels, socket sets, shovels and post-hole diggers.

Laura Riley, current principal of St. Joseph's, said that the project has many goals.

"St. Joseph School has always been about community," she said. "This project is a wonderful way to honor the past, the person of Sister Pat and her ministries and to remind our children of their duty of service to others."

Sister Baber fondly recalls the desire to serve that the St. Joseph's community possesses.

"It has always been the tradition, the history of St. Joseph School, to reach out," she said. "This is a major part of the religious program. It's not just learning the religion, it's putting it into action. Our religion is to make us different people, to transform us."

Children also reached out during Catholic Schools Week, making sandwiches for MUST Ministries. Students donated meat, cheese and bread. Each class made sandwiches to provide at least three lunches for the guests of Elizabeth Inn.

For more information about the Tool Library, or to make a donation, call the St. Joseph School office at (770) 428-3328.