Harwich Public Safety Hold Homeless For The Holiday Benefit

December 03, 2025

by William F. Galvin

Harwich firefighters Andrew Ottino, Katelin Ottino, Tim Druckenbrod, Glen Hawthorne and Tracy Stewart were among the fire department’s representatives for the Homeless for the Holidays fundraiser for the Cape Cod Family Pantry held in Brooks Park last December. FILE PHOTO

HARWICH – Firefighters and police officers will be participating in the annual “Homeless for the Holidays” program for the 11th consecutive year.

Public safety personnel returned to Brooks Park in Harwich Center where they will be camping Dec. 3 through 7, a total of 103 consecutive hours.

“During this time, we will be collecting nonperishable food items, new unwrapped toys, and gift cards, checks or cash donations for the Family Pantry of Cape Cod,” said Fire Department Captain Brad Willis. “On Saturday, Dec. 6, look for Santa to arrive by Fire Truck around noon.”

Over these past 10 years, the community has donated 16,420 pounds of nonperishable food, $84,737 in cash and gift card donations, and 10,137 toys. “We thank the community for their tremendous support,” said Willis.

In addition to the event at Brooks Park, there will also be a collection site at the Christmas Stroll in Harwich Port on Friday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Look for the Homeless for the Holidays table in front of the Harwich Chamber of Commerce office.

For more information and real-time updates, visit and subscribe to the Homeless for the Holidays Harwich Facebook page, or follow the initiative on Instagram @harwichhomelessfortheholidays.

The “Homeless for the Holidays” program was started in 2002 by Bourne Firefighter Craig Poirier and has since expanded to different locations. For more information, visit www.homelessfortheholidays.net.