CHARLOTTE -- Hundreds of members of a Charlotte temple spent their Sunday giving back to the community. 

• Members of Temple Beth El celebrated 19th annual Mitzvah Day.
• They participated in activities like gardening, making first aid kids for refugees and making goodie bags for hospital patients.
• Gift bags and kits to be given to organizations this week.

Members of the Temple Beth El came together for the 19th annual Mitzvah Day. 

People participated in several projects, including goodie bag-making for patients at the children's hospital, making first aid kits for refugee families and cleaning up various gardens around Charlotte. 

Members of the congregation say the chance to give back to those in need is a great way to spend the day, and it also helps strengthen their faith. 

"This is how we lead an engaged life of love and kindness. We as Jews are supposed to have an ethical commitment to love and kindness, and good deeds, and acts of good deeds," said Katrina Nichols, a member of the temple.

The rabbi says some of the gift bags and kits will be given out to different organizations this week.