Pink lights? That’s for the Chicago skyline.

Pink gloves and shoes? The Chicago Bears last weekend.

Pink T-shirts? That’s for the Berwyn Fire Department.

The firefighters’ blue shirts were changed to pink Saturday morning, as firefighters walked between stopped cars at five intersections around Berwyn, becoming the first group of firefighters in the state to collect money at intersections for cancer research.

The Berwyn Fire Department’s “pass the helmet” campaign for cancer research netted nearly $5,000 in three hours of fundraising Saturday.

On-duty Berwyn firefighters teamed with more than six off-duty firefighters who donated their time to the collection process Saturday morning. On- or off-duty, all firefighters donned pink T-shirts to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Berwyn Assistant Fire Chief and event organizer Frank Simek said the event went better than expected and without argument from firefighters, who had to brave the pink T-shirt.

“They had a couple smirks, but they all did it,” Simek said. “They were troopers about it, and the comments from people were absolutely fantastic.”

Simek thought of the event after attending a cancer society function with his wife, Sue, who helps cancer patients by driving them to and from chemotherapy treatments.

The Cancer Society definitely needs the help so why not get firefighters involved,” Simek said. “We all know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease and it’s hit home with some firefighters, so it seemed like a perfect match.”

Simek chose Oct. 7 to coincide with fire prevention month and breast cancer awareness month.

“The light would change and they weren’t able to donate so they went around the block to come back and donate,” Simek said. “It was a very positive event.”

The total amount raised was $4,833.17. A check was made out and representatives from the American Cancer Society office in Riverside who came to the central fire house Monday to collect the donation.

“We understand the breast cancer has different drives and fundraisers, we felt that research would cover many things,” Simek said.

Raeann Spencer, Health Initiative Manager for the American Cancer Society’s west Cook office in Riverside, was out at each of the four intersections Saturday morning thanking each firefighter for wearing pink and raising money.

“It was the least we could do for them,” she said. “The enthusiasm the gentleman at the Fire Department had was amazing.”

Spencer had worked with Simek on planning the fundraiser. She said she was shocked when the Fire Department presented her the check for nearly $5,000 Monday afternoon.

“It was a complete surprise,” Spencer said. “For their first effort it was amazing.”

Simek said it is very possible firefighters return to the streets next year to continue raising funds for cancer research. And while the day or month may change for upcoming fundraisers, Simek said the pink T-shirts are here to stay.

“That’s the plan,” Simek said. “It worked so well, so why change it?”