MADISON, Wis. -- Men's Health magazine has named Madison the most charitable city in the nation.

In the magazine ranking, Madison not only came in No. 1 out of a hundred cities, but its generosity earned it the only "A plus" among the top 10.

Some nonprofits said they're not surprised by the recognition.

At Miller and Sons Grocery store in Verona Thursday afternoon, there were bell ringers of all ages on hand for the kick off of the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign.

Dore Underkofler, a former Alice in Dairyland, has been volunteering as a bell ringer for a decade. She said she gets more out of it than she gives, and that she loves to hear the stories from donors, many of whom have been helped in the past by the Salvation Army.

"The more I work with the Salvation Army, the more honored I feel," she said.

Though a lot more bell ringers are needed, the Dane County Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign already has 700 more volunteers than it did at this time last year -- when donors gave a record $610,000.

Red Kettle contributions as well as those made online and to other big charities, including Toys for Tots, are why Men's Health magazine has ranked Madison the most charitable place in the country.

In the ranking, Madison beat out the likes of Richmond, Va., and Seattle.

"I know this is a very giving community, and when they see the need, the people really do get behind us," said Ruth Ann Schoer, of the local Salvation Army.

The ranking news comes just as the United Way on Thursday celebrated raising more than $16 million.

"Our goal for this year was $16,650,000 and we are announcing today that we met our goal," said Mike Victorson, chairman of the 2009 United Way of Dane County campaign.

Victorson said he wasn't surprised at all by Madison's ranking.

Volunteers said that despite their biggest economic challenge ever, individuals and businesses focused on what they could do, not what they couldn't do.

Schoer said the economy might actually be helping donations as more people become more grateful for what they have and want to share. She also cited a generational donor ethic built into Madison's history, including philanthropic funds and lots of support for volunteerism from Madison schools.

The Salvation Army's goal for its Red Kettle campaign this year is $627,000. To volunteer as a bell ringer, people can visit www.ringbells.org or call 608-250-2235.