25th Bachelors for Hope Charity Auction Looking for a Few Good Men
Published Monday, January 15, 2024
25th Bachelors for Hope Charity Auction Looking for a Few Good Men
Health Sciences Foundation Sends Out the Bat Signal for New Bachelors
by Graham Strong
Ever wonder what it’s like to be on stage with 400 women calling your name? Just ask David Facca.
“It’s a lot of fun, yes,” said David, one of last year’s returning All-Star bachelors. “Where else do you have people screaming for you?”
He first took to the stage in 2008 and returned for last year’s Ascend Fundraising Solutions' Bachelors for Hope Charity Auction All-Stars. The annual event is a favourite for women in Thunder Bay who want to get together for a fun girls’ night out.
“I had so much fun the first time that yes, when I was asked to come back last year for the All-Star event, I jumped at it”, said David. “It’s pretty crazy – the auctions are always lively and the atmosphere is electric all night.”
Each year about eight bachelors are paired with luxury “date” packages for auction. In the past, the packages have included helicopter rides, sailing excursions, and dinners.
“The whole bachelor idea is tongue in cheek,” he said. “Almost all of the date packages are really group events. Often, women will pool their money and bid on the packages together so they can share an experience or a night out with their group of friends.”
Although the auction itself is the main event, the women are treated to a gourmet dinner ahead of time. There are other prizes and entertainment throughout the evening including the bachelor dance, choreographed by Fay Gleeson Dance Studio.
“I struggled hard with that one,” David said with a laugh. “My daughters both danced at Fay Gleeson, but no, Dad’s not a great dancer.”
That didn’t stop him from the stage – or from a promotional video he and a few of the bachelors put together last year. The video was a hit garnering over 21,000 views on social media. David wore a tutu for that one, proving that nobody is taking themselves too seriously.
“It’s a lot of fun because you’re with this group of guys training and practicing together for this one-night event. I’ve met a lot of great people.”
Really though, it’s about raising money for breast cancer so that women can get the world-class care they need, right here at home.
“This event is raising money for a great cause,” David said. “I’ve talked to bachelors who have been in this before, I haven’t heard of one negative experience. We’re all there to help and make it a special night for the women who come. It’s a feel-good event, and we all put in 110 percent.”
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is looking for a few good men to join the stage for the 25th Annual Ascend Fundraising Solutions' Bachelors for Hope Charity Auction, scheduled for April 12, 2024. Find out more about how you can volunteer, help raise funds, and have a great time to boot at: www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/beabachelor
David Facca (centre, wearing glasses) was one of eight men, favourites from past Bachelors for Hope Charity Auctions, who were asked to return for the 2022 event. He encourages men to participate. “It’s a lot of fun because you’re with this group of guys training and practicing together for this one-night event,” said Facca. “I’ve met a lot of great people.” If you’d like to be a bachelor to raise money for and give HOPE to those with breast cancer, visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/beabachelor.