If you’ve ever admired KU’s Lippincott Hall and have an affinity for birds, then this week presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you, really.

But it also presents a nice opportunity for anyone who likes to help people in need around the holidays and enjoys cute things made by kids.

It’s time for the Hilltop Child Development Center’s annual birdhouse auction. Available are birdhouses built by Hilltop teacher Mike Pisani and decorated by students in the center’s after-school program (students in kindergarten through fifth grade from throughout the Lawrence school district).

You can take a look at the bright, festively decorated houses available on the Facebook page for the campus center, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this fall. Topping off the collection is an intricately detailed model of Lippincott Hall, the building on Jayhawk Boulevard that was dedicated in 1905 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The auction will benefit an adopt-a-family program for Hilltop families in need — this year it will help provide meals and gifts for six families with children who attend the center. Part of the proceeds will also go to the American Red Cross, which was added this year at the request of the children in the after-school classroom.

Bidding started today and continues through 5:45 p.m. Thursday. You can stop by Hilltop, 1605 Irving Hill Road, to bid in person or call 864-4940 to bid over the phone.