Many members of the American Armed Services will be away from their families this holiday season, but a mother and daughter from Roseland are making sure that soldiers are supported.

Kathy Pigott and Nicole Della Torre are the founders of “For Our Troops,” a volunteer organization that sends care packages to active military across the United States and overseas. They started the initiative after Sept. 11.

What started as one box 20 years ago, quickly became hundreds each year, across the world.

“It’s amazing that our donations that go overseas, they sit there and read and reread and reread the cards,” says Pigott.

“Especially in a time where mental health is so forward, if this is something that we can do to help brighten someone’s day, especially someone who’s keeping us safe, it’s the least we can do,” says Della Torre.

Donations come in from across Essex County. The care packages include basic necessities, games, snacks and homemade cards.