COEUR d’ALENE — Every time a mayor's bell rings, a Red Kettle sings.

That’s the goal, anyway, for the annual Salvation Army Kootenai County Mayors' Day at the Kettle, which takes place Saturday at the Coeur d'Alene Fred Meyer from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This will be Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer's sixth time participating in this seasonal event.

"I always enjoy it," he said Wednesday. "It goes toward a great cause. Salvation Army does a great job of helping the underserved."

Last year, Kootenai County mayors raised nearly $16,000 in nine hours. The funds were used locally to pay for new winter clothing, food boxes, emergency shelter, foster family support and other services for those in need.

"There are a lot of kids that come with their parents and they'll bring some change and put it in the bucket," Widmyer said. "It's always a highlight of the year."

This year's participants include Widmyer, Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson, Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts, Dalton Gardens Mayor Jeff Fletcher, Fernan Mayor Heidi Acuff, former Coeur d'Alene mayor Sandi Bloem and Athol Mayor Mary Zichko.

"I think it's a good thing," Zichko said. "It shows they recognize there is a need out there to participate and to help out for all of Kootenai County."

This is a unifying team effort rather than a competition. Widmyer said it's all about raising the most money for the underserved.

"A few years ago we competed against Spokane, but we beat them so badly they didn’t want to do it again," he said.

That was in 2014, when North Idaho's mayors brought in more than $21,000.

This is also Jacobson's sixth year participating. The last couple years he shared bell shifts with Widmyer and Griffitts. This year he’ll be with Mike and Sholeh Patrick of The Press.

“I don’t view any of the mayors as having feelings there's a competition between cities. We do what we do because we feel we can help our communities," Jacobson said. "Being able to work together with the other mayors is a good example of how we do work together."

The Fred Meyer Foundation will match all donations received by the mayors during the event up to $5,000. Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, Navy Blues Jazz Choir, Lake City High School band members and other entertainment will accompany the mayors throughout the day.

For those who don't have change or bills to spare when they hear the bell, each Red Kettle will have "Kettle Pay," a digital service that will allow people to donate using their smartphones. All donations will go to Kootenai County using the zip code associated with the card used.

Fred Meyer is at 560 W. Kathleen Ave.