PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Christmas Eve gets most of the attention, but today is also Mitzvah Day, which is a day of service to others.

Hundreds of volunteers are taking part in this annual tradition and are making a difference, not just in the lives of others, but in their own as well.

With a crayon and paper, or a needle and thread the volunteers are making a difference.

Hundreds of volunteers across the city are doing a variety of projects on Mitzvah Day.

“It’s the Jewish word for good deed, an act of love and kindness,” Julie Rosenbaum said.

Deeds range from making cards with messages of encouragement for homeless families, to sewing together sock monkeys that will bring smiles to patients at Children’s Hospital.

It’s all about bringing people together to give just a small bit of their time.

Their combined efforts make a big difference, but Mitzvah Day is also about family and passing down the spirit of giving to the next generation.

This is the 10th year the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has organized Mitzvah Day events.

It’s the organization’s largest annual, organized volunteer effort.