Free Saints Among Us by Anne Marie Rodgers

newspapers to do an article for you since it’s the first time you’re trying it and it’s a charitable event. That would save actually placing an ad, which would add to your expenses.”
    “A newspaper article.” Ethel nodded. “That’s a very good idea, Louise. Is there anything else you can think of?”
    Louise was just scratching the surface. “You’ll need boxes to be decorated and set in front of each raffle item, and you’ll have to make a sign advertising the raffle. You’ll also have to make a sign for the baked-goods table, so people understand all the proceeds from that will go to Helping Hands and not into some stranger’s pocket. And you’ll need a price list for the baked goods.”
    “I can have someone make one.”
    Louise nodded her head slowly, telling herself all she had to do was plant the seed. “All right. How about change?”
    “Change? What would we want to change at this point?”
    “No, Aunt Ethel, not
changing things
. I mean money. You need change in case your customers hand you large bills.”
    “All right, Louise. You’ve made your point.” Ethel rose and walked into her small kitchen, returning a moment later with a folder and a pen. She made a production out of opening the folder and extracting a notepad, then crossed one leg over the other and said, “I’m taking notes, so I can write down anything I haven’t already considered.”
    “Well, if you plan to sell drinks and sandwiches, you’ll want to ask around to see who can give you the best prices. Some of the ladies from the social circle might make soup if you asked them to, but you need some kind of sandwiches.”
    Ethel made a dismissive motion. “I’ll get a tray of turkey and ham.”
    Oh dear. Louise’s anxiety level reached a new high. “I don’t think you want to purchase an arranged tray, Aunt Ethel. That’s costly. See if you can get a bargain from a butcher or deli. You might even get a better price on the meat over in Potterston,” she mused.
    Ethel was scribbling madly, but she paused at that suggestion and looked up. “I couldn’t do that to the Acorn Hill merchants,” she said in a shocked tone. “I like to keep my shopping in the community. If everyone goes somewhere else to shop, small businesses like those in our little town won’t be able to stay open.”
    “I agree, but this isn’t your personal shopping you’re talking about. You want to spend as little as possible so that when all the proceeds are matched against the initial outlay, you will make a nice profit to donate to Helping Hands.”
    “Louise, I am not willing to ignore our local shops just for the sake of a few dollars.” Ethel’s tone was quite definite.
    Louise took a deep breath. “Perhaps you are right. Let’s move on. We need to figure out how many volunteers will be needed in each area and how long their shifts should be.”
    “Oh, I thought I’d have sign-up sheets at our next Seniors Social Circle meeting.”
    Louise sighed. She so wanted the seniors’ group to make a success of this. If it didn’t go well, Ethel might never get a second chance. Louise took another deep, fortifying breath and a long moment to compose herself.
Lord
, she thought,
give me patience
.
Aunt Ethel’s heart is in the right place
. “I think you’d do better with more structure,” she said.
    “Oh, I’m sure the ladies in the Seniors Social Circle will be willing to work the whole day, just like I am. After all, this is for a good cause.”
    Momentarily speechless, Louise gazed at her aunt. Searching for tact, she said, “That might be expecting a bit much. After all, you are in far better health than many of your friends.”
    “Yes, I suppose I am.” Ethel preened, pleased by Louise’s statement. Then she frowned. “But we’ll have to work to find enough people to fill all those hours. I wonder if Alice’s ANGELs are old enough to be reliable assistants.”
    “Perhaps with the food and the raffle, but we hardly could