Bird lovers and art lovers are gathering today for the 9th annual “For TheBirds” event in Des Moines. Sculptors, woodworkers and other artisans havecreated more than 300 bird-related items that’re being sold in a silentauction to raise money for charity.Brenda Mouw is an event organizer. She says the items in the auction includebird houses, bird baths and garden furniture. While some of the pieces aretrue works of art that aren’t made to house birds, she says other items arevery affordable.The goal is to raise 100-thousand dollars to benefit Orchard Place, whichMouw says helps more than 500 Iowa children every day.Orchard Place was founded in 1886 as an orphanage. Today, it’s a haven tochildren with severe emotional and/or behavioral problems — kids who needhelp but lack the financial resources to get it. The event is being heldin the atrium of Capital Square with bidding today from 9 a-m to 6:30 p-m.