WEST SPRINGFIELD – Many people sleep out in the cold each winter. For a few days this December, West Springfield’s bravest will be “Homeless for the Holidays,” in an effort to help them.

For 52 hours, from 12 p.m. on Dec. 5 until 4 p.m. on Dec. 7, members of the West Springfield Fire Department will be camping out at the entrance to Mittineague Park, across from “Santa’s House.” While there, they will be collecting non-perishable food, new or like-new clothes, monetary donations and new, unwrapped toys to fill a box truck. On Dec. 7, that truck will be delivered to the West Springfield Parish Cupboard.

“All this is going right back to West Springfield,” said Lt. CJ Bartone. The event, he said, is designed to raise awareness about homelessness while also contributing donations.

“We still have to be on duty,” Bartone told Reminder Publishing, so the off-duty firefighters will camp out in shifts.

While this is the first “Homeless for the Holidays” in West Springfield, but it has been done in other communities. Bartone said it began in Bourne, MA., and has steadily spread as more departments around the state take up the cause.

Through the West Springfield Firefighter’s Relief Association, Bartone said he and Deputy Bob Manchino are spearheading the initiative and Bartone expects there to be a good turnout. He said there is a sign-up list at the station that is filling up quickly.

For more information about “Homeless for the Holidays” and how to donate contact Bartone at cbartone@tows.org or Mancino at rmanchino@tows.org.