Salvation Army’s Battle of the Bells is heating up even as Bowling Green gets colder, with local officials continuing to compete against one another to see who can raise the most money for this year’s Red Kettle Campaign.

The competition is being held among six local figures, including elected officials, law enforcement leaders and the superintendents of both Warren County Public and Bowling Green Independent school districts.

Johnny Horton, co-captain of the Bowling Green Corps of the Salvation Army, told the Daily News that the event is having an impact on in-person donations and donations made online.

“It’s going remarkably well,” Horton said. “The battlers have really embraced the challenge and the competition and have far exceeded any expectations we had.”

More than $6,000 has been raised by all six battlers so far, Horton said, including online donations along with cash.

Salvation Army last year raised $83,000 during its Red Kettle Campaign, a number the organization is on track to beat this year.

“Public support … has drastically increased this year,” Horton said, crediting the increase to the Battle of the Bells.

Several of the battlers have already been out fundraising at large events like Light Up BGKY and at different storefronts across town.

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott has rung the bell at several locations so far, including Hobby Lobby, the Kroger on Scottsville Road and at WKU athletic events.

Alcott described the competition as a way to give back to an organization that helps the most vulnerable in the community.

“Salvation Army opens up the door to anybody and everybody,” he said. “That’s the place to go … it’s just a great way to pay it back and pay it forward.”

Alcott is battling against Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman. The two competed in the first Battle of the Bells last year, which Gorman won. With a chuckle, Alcott said his goal this year is to “beat the tar” out of Gorman.

Gorman told the Daily News that things are “so far, so good” with the competition and called it an honor to work with the organization.

” … People are appreciative, I think, of public servants helping out with the Salvation Army, not just doing your your everyday job, but actually being in the community and trying to make a difference for the for the most vulnerable of our community,” he said.

Bowling Green Police Chief Michael Delaney and Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower are competing in the battle as well.

Hightower, like the other participants, has a positive outlook on the competition.

“At the end of the day, we’re all all going to be winners on this,” he said.

WCPS head Rob Clayton and BGISD superintendent Gary Fields are taking the competition one step further. Both agreed at the battle kickoff that if Fields won, he would wear a WCPS sweater for one day; if Clayton won, he would wear a BGISD sweater.

“That makes it fun, because it should be fun, because it’s a really good cause,” Fields said.

All six participants will be out in the public on Saturday ringing bells. Donations can be also be made online through Dec. 31.