Lt. Greg Bock of the Salvation Army in Muscatine isn't letting cold temperatures prevent him from helping raise money for those in need this holiday season.
Bock says he will stay in a giant red Salvation Army kettle outside of Hy-Vee to raise money. The goal is $180,000 by Christmas Day and Bock plans to stay in the kettle until the goal is reached.
"The red kettles are every year, but you hardly see a giant red kettle that someone lives in to raise awareness for it," Bock told KWQC-TV 6, "It's kind of a creative way to have a new platform to say listen there's a need out there. We're here to meet it and we need your help in doing so."
All donations the Salvation Army of Muscatine County receives stay in the area and help people locally. Bock says despite the cold temperatures, living in the red kettle to spread awareness is worth it.s
"If I have to suffer for a few days so that somebody doesn't have to, it's worth every second that I spend in the kettle."
Bock will spend 24 hours a day in the kettle, except for bathroom breaks inside of Hy-Vee. With Christmas fast approaching, Bock remains hopeful the goal will be met.
"Even if we don't meet it, we have still advocated for somebody in need, and we still brought awareness to the needs in Muscatine County," Bock said.
The kettle was locally made and weighs 2,100 pounds. It stands seven feet tall with an eight foot circumference. There is a hatch door in the base that Bock is using to store items, but there is also enough room to sleep.
He tries to stay warm with clothing, a heat lamp and sleeping bag. He also has a space heater he can use in the hatch.