When temperatures turn bitter cold walking to your car can be painful let alone having to work outside.
For United States Postal Service mail carriers, it's all part of the job.
But Brian Svok doesn't let the frigid air keep him from doing what he loves.
“Once you’re out here for seven or eight hours straight it’s starts to wear on your body,” said Svok.
Svok has been a mail carrier for the postal service for quite some time, 37 years and almost nine months to be exact.
With many Michigan winters under his belt, Svok knows a thing or two about how to keep warm.
“You’ve got to make sure that you have all of your equipment like your gloves,” said Svok. “I have heat warmers in my gloves, thermal underwear, and many layers.”
High temperatures in the teens, blistery winds, and snow are not Svok’s ideal conditions but he knows he's not alone.
“My other brother and sister carriers are out there doing the same thing right now and how great is it to have a community fellowship like that, it’s wonderful,” said Svok.
It’s a busy time of year for the postal service. Svok says he delivered over 100 packages Monday and expects that count to increase as the holiday’s inch closer.
As time goes on there are many things Svok has come to appreciate, it’s the love for his customers and the people he’s gotten to know.
“First they’re like your customers, then they’re like your friends, and if you’re blessed, then they're like your family,” said Svok. “It warms your heart on cold days like this because you have customers you have people that care.”
Svok says he has a few more years before retirement.
