I used to just walk right on by from time to time.

Here and there I would stop to donate, but not always.

I would find myself in too much of a hurry or carrying too many things.

For more than a century, the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign has been a staple this time of year.

The sounds of the bells and the colorful kettles are a clear sign the holidays are here.

In Austin, the kettles can be found at seven locations, with the proceeds going to The Salvation Army’s ongoing programs and services throughout the year.

“It’s throughout the year, not just the holidays,” Maj. Marlys Anderson said, of when the funds are spent. “That’s why we depend on it pretty heavily.

Anderson also said that this year has been particularly tough because need is up and giving is down.

“We’re seeing a huge increase (of people in need) … and we don’t see a reprieve from that for a little while, and that’s not just here, that’s everywhere.”

The kettle campaign kicked off Nov. 13 and continues through Dec. 24. Volunteers are needed at locations throughout town.

On Friday night, you may have walked by me.

From 4 to 6 p.m. I stood inside an Austin store, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

I commend those who are assigned to the outdoor locations as I was placed indoors, complete with steady heat flowing above me and a ledge to lean on when needed.

I didn’t complain, though, and gladly began my shift.

Nearly every person who walked by was friendly, even people so cold they were bundled up like Randy in “A Christmas Story.”

A good number of people donated, with many contributing several bills.

Last weekend I chatted with Mayor Tom Stiehm and former Mayor Bonnie Rietz as they held a Ring-Off inside Hy-Vee. During that event, Mayor Stiehm commented on how generous Austin is as a community.

I have to agree.

At one point in my shift, a woman walked by with a young boy following behind her. The young boy had a fistful of change and kept on walking. The woman then stopped, looked at the boy and said, “put it in the kettle.”

The boy simply shook his head no.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

She then repeated, “put it in the kettle.”

The boy did.

Not long after that I found that my effort in ringing the bell had lagged a bit. I thought of the scene in “Holiday Inn” when Fred Astaire walks by a Salvation Army bellringer who looks bored. Astaire then grabs the bell and starts ringing it with passion and rhythm.

I then picked up my pace, not wanting a Fred Astaire type to do the same to me.

It was about that time when I accidentally dropped the bell.

That wasn’t good.

I thought to myself, “I’m in big trouble if that bell is broken.”

Not only would I have to answer to the Salvation Army, but I still had 45 minutes left in my shift.

What would I do?

I thought of a few things.

I could say the words “ding, ding, ding” in hopes people would still donate.

I could also buy something inside the store to improvise, although banging a candy cane against a Chia Shrek box doesn’t have the same effect as a bell.

Thankfully, the bell wasn’t broken.

I picked it up and continued my shift, amazed at how many people walked by and donated.

At just after 6 p.m., my replacement ringer came.

I headed back outside with two things on my mind.

One was to stay warm, and the other was not to just walk on by those kettles anymore.