Operation Gratitude stops by NYPD precinct

Paul Cucinotta, left, the chief operation officer of Operation Gratitude, is shown with Assistant Chief Frank Vega. *Photos courtesy of Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk.*

Tuesday, March 23, was a beautiful early spring day in New York City, lifting many a winter-weary spirit. For the rank and file of the New York Police Department’s 121st Precinct, the day got even cheerier when Operation Gratitude showed up at the Graniteville station with approximately 1,000 care packages. The non-profit organization sends care packages to veterans, frontline workers and first responders, including police.

On this day, the packages featured necessities such as snacks and hand sanitizers, but the most appreciated gifts were the heartfelt letters written by volunteers.

“It’s an unequivocal act of human kindness,” Assistant Chief Frank Vega commented to Staten Island Live (SIL).

Officer Emin Demo told WCBS, “We’re grateful for all the letters and bags that we’ve received today. It’s the small gestures like these that go a long way.”

Operation Gratitude launched a campaign earlier this year to visit NYPD precincts “borough by borough” over the course of 12 months.

Paul Cucinotta gives a fist bump to an NYPD officer at the 121st Precinct.

“Our hope is to bring those communities together,” said Paul Cucinotta, Operation Gratitude chief operation officer, to SIL. “Through this process of gratitude, through this process of service, the nation gets stronger — one community at a time.”

“It’s so important because it’s giving back to our officers and it recognizes the bonds of the community and the police together,” said Marc Wachter, commanding officer of the NYPD Health and Wellness section.

Officer Diana Negruti said she and her fellow cops “appreciate all the support that we’ve gotten today. It makes me feel great about the job that I do,” according to WCBS.