A record 500,000 Israeli volunteers are taking part in this year’s Good Deeds Day, the annual happening that highlights positive actions and community involvement. That’s two million hours of volunteering on one single day.

Celebrated worldwide on March 9 and in Israel, on March 11, Good Deeds Day is the brainchild of Israeli businesswoman and philanthropist, Shari Arison. “I believe that if people will think good, speak good and do good, the circles of goodness will grow in the world. Good Deeds Day has become the leading day of giving and this year individuals, school children, students, soldiers and employees from many businesses are joining in for the annual Good Deeds Day with the aim of doing a good deed for others,” says Arison.

Since its launch in 2007, Good Deeds Day has expanded beyond Israel’s borders to over 50 countries including the US, Mexico, Panama, Chile, Argentina, France, Germany, Switzerland, Britain, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine, South Africa and Singapore.

In Israel, volunteers included over 1,200 schools and youth groups helping out more than 1,600 projects. Almost all of the local authorities and 355 businesses volunteered and participated in painting homes of senior citizens, cleaning beaches and parks, renovating community centers and creating public gardens.

Good Deeds Day is organized by Ruach Tova under the auspices of The Ted Arison Family Foundation.