NEW YORK - In this room, everything from designing the boxes to the items placed inside is done with care by a group of school safety agents forming an assembly line of Thanksgiving dinner packages. It's a holiday gesture to families of the coworkers they lost to COVID-19.

"We lost 13 amazing school safety agents who will be greatly missed," said Yvette Perkins, an administrative staff analyst. "No one can ever replace them but they can never be forgotten."

Their pictures are on display in tribute, as staffers think of the loved ones they left behind and where these care packages will go.

"It's unfortunate but we want them to know that we remember them during this difficult time," said inspector Maximo Tolenino.

That adds a special meaning to this annual care package drive where these volunteers say the effects of the ongoing pandemic loom large over many of their colleagues.

"Some of them are out on sick leave for different reasons and unable to get a paycheck," said Perkins, so this is their way of giving back to them.

"School safety agents are unbelievable people," said Tolentino, "they take of kids like if they were their own."

"We're all here to support each other," said Deputy Chief Olufunmilola Obe.

Especially at a time that might be particularly hard for those grieving a loss.

"We're not thinking about ourselves, we're thinking about someone else and that's what this season is all about," said Vickie Reeves, a payroll administrator.