A number of local bachelors are going once, going twice, sold on helping out local children.

Today, 10 or more men will put themselves on the auction block to benefit Branches, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young children. The event, which has been dubbed Battle of the Bachelors, is the first of what organizer and Branches Director Karin Moskov says could possibly be an annual fun time.

“If it's successful, and this idea takes off, certainly we'll do it again,” Moskov said this week.

Money raised through the fundraiser will go toward funding the organization's programs, which are aimed toward children from birth to age 5.

The eligible men will be bid off throughout the evening at an opening price of $50, with the top bidder winning an evening meal at Bistro One in downtown Auburn. Moskov said organizers came up with the idea after thinking about how to organize a benefit that is both unique and something that might draw a crowd.

Branches offers a number of health and education programs for children. Classes run through the organization have included yoga, language, music and baby sign language courses. Tonight's event isn't as much meant to be a way to make love connections as it is a way to bring people together who wish to contribute to children's programming, Moskov said.

“This is going to be in good taste and in the nature of good fun,” Moskov said. “The bachelors have agreed to come forth and put themselves on the line.”

Attendees are asked to wear evening attire, and beer and wine will be served. There will also be raffle prizes and a 50-50 drawing.

Moskov said some of the bachelors are expected to bring friends and family members to have a good time and maybe even bid themselves.

“Some ladies are making it a ladies' night out, and some guys are coming to bust on their friends,” she said. “This is going to be all in good fun.”

Some of the eligible bachelors are pretty high-profile members of the community, like David Oliver. Oliver is principal at East Middle School in Auburn, and he said Moskov approached him to be part of the fundraiser.

He's not sure what to expect out of the whole thing, and he said he was “a little wary” of participating. But Oliver said he plans to have a good time and make a show of himself in front of some friends who expect to attend.

“I'm going to have some fun with it and raise some money,” Oliver said.

As a proponent of education, he said programs like Branches that work with literacy and the arts are worth supporting. Research shows that children are more likely to be successful in the classroom if they are able to work on those skills before they enter kindergarten, he said.

“(Moskov's) work with Branches is a worthwhile thing, and it's great for the kids in the Auburn area,” Oliver said.

If you go.

What: Battle of the

Bachelors

When: 7 tonight

Where: Auburn Public

Theater, 108 Genesee St., Auburn

Cost: $20 admission, includes one drink