The wreaths and Christmas trees auctioned Tuesday at the annual Festival of Trees raised $27,335 for The Shelter Inc. of Lawrence.

“We’re very happy with it,” executive director Judy Culley said. “We were very happy with the crowd. We felt like we had a lot of folks there who were all there to be supportive of kids.”

The Tuesday gala for the 24th annual event was at Liberty Hall.

The trees are decorated and donated by local businesses, organizations, families and individuals.

The money is used as an emergency-growth fund that allows the shelter to start new projects and enhance its services to children in need.

The tree that garnered the highest bid was decorated by Lawrence Police Department staff and family members, and was called “We Exist to Serve the Community.” It included several police-themed ornaments and a small black-and-white police pedal car. It sold for $3,000 to Harry and Cindy Herington.

The public can view the trees from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Liberty Hall, 644 Mass. Donations for viewing are $3 for adults, and admission is free for children.

Longtime Douglas County District Judge Jean Shepherd, who is retiring in January, was also honored Tuesday with the Unsung Hero Award from The Shelter.