Bell ringing for the Salvation Army can be a great thing to do during the holiday season, whether you’re a regular citizen or a city official.

Several officials have made kettle stops this winter, which Maj. Marlys Anderson of the Salvation Army said sets a great example for the rest of the community.

“It does mean a lot to us,” she added.

The list includes current Mayor Tom Stiehm and former Mayor Bonnie Rietz, who battled in a “ring off” last month.

The two stopped at the Hy-Vee grocery store on Nov. 28 and went head-to-head to see who could raise the most money.

“This is fun,” Rietz said in between greeting customers. “I can’t believe Thanksgiving is done, and we’re into the holiday season.”

Anderson said the vast majority of bell ringers are simply citizen volunteers, but she did note that getting noteworthy faces out does a lot for the cause.

Having mayors ringing the bells, for example, drums up media coverage, which in turn gets more money into the buckets, Anderson said.

“Personally, to me, that’s wonderful,” the major said of city leaders chipping in.

Kim Underwood, director of Austin parks and recreation, rang at Sterling Main Street on Nov. 23 as part of the Spruce Up Austin program. She said it was her first time, and she found the experience “interesting.”

“It was fun,” Underwood said. “You can help people a lot by ringing the bell.”

Though she said she was glad to help, Underwood said she didn’t feel it more important that city officials ring the bells.

“It doesn’t matter who you are,” she said. “What’s important is what’s behind it.”

City councilwoman Marian Clennon certainly believes in what’s behind it, as she’s already been out twice and has plans for one more stop later this month.

And Clennon’s determination has been on display during her bell ringing — she’s been stationed at Walmart, where bell ringers stand outside in the cold.

“It’s important because (the Salvation Army) helps so many people out,” Clennon said.

The councilwoman said she also loves getting out into the community.

“I got elected to go to more than two meetings a month,” Clennon said.

Clennon also said she has some ideas to jazz up the yearly bell ringing. For example, the councilwoman said she’d like to see more friendly competitions, like the one between Stiehm and Rietz.

Anderson said she hadn’t thought about that much, but she did like the idea.

The Salvation Army traditionally has awards for the group that raises the most, which this year has been the Austin Shriners club with more than $3,500. Anderson said she is grateful to the Shriners and other groups that do so well, and said that competition really can spur donations.

“It usually does some good,” Anderson said.

Clennon is all for that, and she even had a suggestion for the next friendly competition — the Austin Daily Herald versus the Austin Post-Bulletin.

So, what do you say, P-B?

Bellringing by the numbers

The Salvation Army has raised roughly $21,000 so far this season, about $2,000 ahead of last year’s pace but still behind the goal of $35,000. Anderson said volunteer ringers are still needed at the seven storefront locations throughout Austin. To learn more about bell ringing, call the Salvation Army at 437-4566.