Rikki Kite, Lawrence, tweets at the Lawrence Twestival at Joe Schmo’s, 724 Mass. The event raised money for the Lawrence Humane Society. “People think Twitter is really random and anonymous, but it’s actually a great way to meet people that you have something in common with,” says Kite, associate publisher of Linux Pro Magazine.

Some use the social media Web site Twitter to chat with friends. Some use it to keep up with current events or get the latest celebrity scoop.

Thursday night, local tweeters used the site to lend awareness and funds — more than $3,200 — to the Lawrence Humane Society. More than 100 people attended the Lawrence Twestival at Jo Shmo’s.

The event allowed online friends to form in-person connections and helped the Humane Society forge a stronger online identity, said Ben Smith, organizer of the Lawrence Twestival and social media manager for the Lawrence Journal-World.

“For the people that are connected online, it’s a chance for them to connect offline and actually come together,” Smith said. “They’re developing relationships, and we’re bringing people together to do something positive.”

The Humane Society is planning to create a Twitter account after observing the event’s turnout.

“Look at all of the people here tonight, and there were no radio spots, there were only a few articles in the newspaper,” said Lindsey Taylor, donations coordinator for the Humane Society. “Most of these people are here because they read about it on Twitter. So as far as Twitter being able to do things for the greater good of the community or an organization, I think it’s great.”