Meringoff Family Foundation

During a year beset by tragedy and difficulties, Lauren, a Florida resident, said she knew one thing was constant: Police officers “protecting me and my family during these unknown times.”

Her message, written on a letter and included in a care package, was handed to an NYPD officer at the 121st Precinct in Graniteville Tuesday afternoon.

It was part of about 1,000 care packages delivered to officers at every Staten Island precinct in a collaboration with the NYPD and Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit centered on providing them to first responders, veterans, frontline workers and others.