A record-breaking 400 members from Borehamwood and United Elstree Synagogue and the wider community, were among around 40,000 volunteers in more than 21 countries helping hundreds of local charities in meaningful ways as part of Mitzvah Day.

Mitzvah Day is a Jewish-led day of social action that brings thousands of people together, worldwide of all faiths and none, to give their time, not their money, to make a difference to the community around them.

The 20 local projects involved charities and communities such as The Joely Bear Appeal, Borehamwood Foodbank, Gift, Townsend House, Stonham House, and Gratitude.

Lauren Schogger, project organiser of Borehamwood and Elstree Mitzvah Day, said: "Our local team carefully selected projects that they felt would have a genuine long-term impact both locally and further afield."

Before and after Mitzvah Day, local volunteers participated in two different food rotas, including two-week food rota of cakes and desserts for the residents of Townsend House, a hostel in Borehamwood caring for 16-25 year-old homeless young women with support needs, and Hepburn Court. a hostel for families with support needs.

Plans are also in place to continue these food donations throughout the year. The second food rota was for Stonham House, an ex-offenders unit.

Working with The Joely Bear Appeal and NHS Blood Donation, there was an extra special Mitzvah Day blood donor session at Edgware and Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue.

More than 240 donations of blood were taken over both sessions and there were more than 50 first time donors. Volunteers made sandwiches for those who donated, and did face painting and entertainment for children of those who were donating.

Mrs Schogger said: "This is our biggest and most successful Mitzvah Day to date. We have put on a fantastic range of projects that have and will continue to make a real difference to those less fortunate than ourselves in our local and wider community.

"Social action is a success due to the many volunteers that come forward to support our projects.

"It is incredibly exciting and rewarding to see so many people coming together today. As well as delivering projects today, our ultimate goal is to raise the profile of communities that will benefit from our help beyond Mitzvah Day and for our volunteers to be part of that journey."

In conjunction with PJ library, a child and adult book swap was run, where volunteers donated three or more books and swapped them for one new book. The donated books are for local shelters in Borehamwood: Stonham House, Shenwood Court and Townsend House, and Hepburn Court in South Mimms.

Volunteers also took part in a knitathon both before and on Mitzvah Day, knitting and crocheting squares to be sewn together into warm blankets, which are being distributed to those in need and local care homes.

Those looking for some outdoor activities put on their wellies and gardening gloves and braved the cold, to work with the Woodcock Hill Village Green Committee as part of an interfaith project to help clear Woodcock Hill in Borehamwood of brambles and litter, and make bug houses.

Another team also braved the cold at Shenwood Court with Gratitude to clear the allotments and build an outdoor library – the first outdoor library in Borehamwood. Many of the books donated for the book swap will go to new the outdoor library.

Children at Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue made cards and jewellery for children at the Emunah Children’s home in Afula, northern Israel. The activity was run by the shul’s Mitzvah Day organiser Mrs Schogger.

British Emunah director Deborah Nathan said: "It was fantastic for Emunah to be part of Borehamwood and Elstree shul’s Mitzvah Day activities in support of the disadvantaged children in our care in Israel."

Mitzvah Day founder and chair, Laura Marks applauded the Borehamwood and Elstree community, and said: “Once again, the team has come out in force to support the variety of projects that have been identified.

"Following previous years’ successes, we have seen how the various projects have positively impacted the lives of many local people on Mitzvah Day itself and on an ongoing basis throughout the year. I congratulate the team and hope a similar impact is achieved in the year ahead.”

What did you do for Mitzvah Day? Comment below or email steven.brown@london.newsquest.co.uk