From Cap Pistols to Works of Art

An old cap pistol, my Roy Roger's hat, put into a box with toy blocks. Corduroy trousers are neatly clean and folded. My sister's doll, with one eye glued open, covered with two of her dresses. It was rummage sale time at the Luxenberg Club. Not sure what the money raised from the rummage sale went for, I just knew it was one of Mom's things to do. Toys and things would disappear, later reappear on a table in the great hall of the Luxenberg Club. It was fun seeing all the things people donated. Bake sales were the other sales held to raise money. I was sent around the block with my wagon to collect things people donated. Mrs Erenst, who had a car, would pick up all donations and take them to the Luxenberg Club. Bake sales were held in St Joe's Church basement, cherry pies sat next to cupcakes and German chocolate cakes - all homemade. Mason jars filled with applesauce or homemade sauerkraut were there for sale. Even Mrs. Mathew sent two jars of pickles to the bake sale.  

Dad was known for fixing old electric motors, which were used for washing machines and table saws. Bricks from the old church Dad laid a patio for Mom with. Coffee cans of buttons waited for homemade shirts and coats, more cans sat in the basement filled with screws and nails. 

These days there are art sales. Sales of commissioned sunflower paintings raising money for kids from Ukraine. Another gallery raised money for homes of special needs people, and the homeless. Mom and Dad showed us ways of helping people in need, even when we were in need ourselves.