When Susan Prickett and Francie Little agreed to chair the  Helping Hand Home’s annual gala they had no idea just how many hours they’d spend pouring over the tiniest details and wrangling them in on the proper spreadsheets.

For more than a year now, they’ve spent at least 20 hours a week, not including the constant barrage of e-mails planning out the event that raises more than half a million dollars for one of Austin’s oldest charities. But through it all, they’ve maintained a sense of humor and a sense of fun.

“We go into Lucy in Disguise and dress up for every single meeting,” Little said. “Even if no one else thinks it’s funny – we crack ourselves up.”

It’s this mentality that’s kept the operation running smoothly and kept the volunteer work from feeling more like a chore. And through the fun, they’ve remained focused on the mission.

“You’re helping orphans that just don’t have anywhere else to go,” Prickett said.

Founded in 1893, Helping Hand Home began when an abandoned newborn baby girl was found in a shoebox at Austin’s railway station. A group of women from various missionary societies came together to help her, and soon they became the go-to group when a child was in need.

They pooled their resources to buy a small cottage on Guadalupe Street, and since then, the organization has become one of the only places in the country for many severely troubled children. In 2008, the home opened an onsite charter school through a partnership with the University of Texas.

“By the time they get to us, they’re not even foster eligible,” Little said.

The March 6 gala brings in about 25 percent of the group’s proceeds each year and sees more than 1,500 participants at the luncheon, 1,900 at the ball and coordinates more than 200 children for the debutante and girl portion of the evening.

Despite the sheer magnitude of decisions, Little and Prickett decided that in the economic climate, they couldn’t simply run with every company used last year. They price shopped every decision and created more spreadsheets than a champagne bottle has bubbles.

“We felt like we had to go outside of some of the things we were normally doing… the decisions went on and on,” Prickett said.

While the main theme each year is The Crystal Ball, various chairs can add their own spin, and this year, the longtime friends from West Texas have created an ice palace.

“All of the colors are light blue, silver and pearlized white,” Little said.

They’ve also added mystery boxes to the menu of auction items. For $20, attendees can purchase the box that is guaranteed to be valued at $20 or more but could include everything from jewelry and gift certificates.

“People have still just been so generous this year,” Prickett said of donors who’ve helped made the gala possible.

And, the women gushed about everyone involved in the gala that have made their jobs so much easier.

“Our committee members are just so good and smart and capable,” Little said.

Beyond the fun, the work, and the valiant mission, Prickett and Little have been able to use their charity work to instill a sense of community in their children.

Little and her daughter were in the charter group of the National Charity League of Austin, a mother-daughter volunteer organization. Prickett’s children always throw in a helping hand and her oldest son spent last year working in Argentina at two orphanages.

After the huge time commitment they’ve put in, both women said they’ll likely opt for smaller roles in the organization next year, but they won’t be able to breathe easy until they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor March 6.

“I keep waking up thinking, are we forgetting something?” Little said.

But with the endless hours of preparation, the answer is likely no.

Tickets are still available for the Crystal Ball and preceding luncheon. The luncheon and fashion show will be held at 10 a.m. March 6 at the Palmer Events Center, with a champagne bar and silent auction at 10 a.m., and a fashion show with presentation of princesses and debutantes at 11 a.m.

The gala begins at 7 p.m. on the same day in the same location, kicking off with cocktails and a silent auction. Presentations will begin at 8 p.m. with dinner, catered by Rosemary, being served at 9:30 p.m.

Various pricing options and levels of sponsorship are available.

For more information on these, visit www.helpinghandhome.org or contact Erin Whitehead at 459-7705 or ewhitehead@helpinghandhome.org.