Lori Alexander, Lawrence, of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, P.A., decorates her Mardi Gras Christmas tree during setup for the annual Festival of Trees Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011 at Liberty Hall in downtown Lawrence.

For the 27th year, Liberty Hall will become a forest of decorated Christmas trees and wreaths donated by area individuals, groups and organizations to benefit The Shelter Inc.

Each year, the trees and their givers outdo the previous year’s in creativity. Themes ranging from Dr. Seuss to woodland fairies to the Wizard of Oz have been woven into fir and pine. Some of the trees are brought to Liberty Hall already decorated; others are decorated there. Police officers, Girl Scouts and retirees intermingle while working on their donations.

“There are many, many people who do it over and over again,” said Judy Culley, director of The Shelter Inc. “You’d think if they’d done it that frequently, they’d run out of ideas, but they don’t! The creativity of our tree donors never ceases to amaze me!”

Culley, who has been at the Shelter since its formation, has many memories of the festival and trees from Christmases past. There was the tree from the very first year that had the school picture of every kindergartener in the district on it. Or the tree made of street light globes, or the one that was a Hot Wheels racetrack in the shape of a tree. There have been trees made of basketballs, and of tumbleweed, and the one from the Friends of the Library made entirely of books. This year, there will be a metal tree with a seat inside, where a person can sit and swivel to enjoy the decorations from an inside-the-tree view.

The Shelter Inc. helps families and juveniles in emergency situations. It provides juvenile residential programs, crisis case management, foster family licensing and training and law enforcement collaboration, among other services.

The Festival of Trees brings in $45,000 to $50,000 a year to The Shelter Inc., mostly by the auction of the trees, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each. The wreaths are auctioned silently, with bid cards, and the trees are auctioned by number on the night of the auction party. Public viewing hours are also made available; a $3 donation is suggested for anyone over age 12.

Since 2001, the Shelter also has given an unsung hero award during the Festival of Trees in recognition of people or groups who have helped kids or families in the community.

“We’re happy for the event to raise money, but we also want to raise awareness of kids in the community who need our help,” Culley said. “The trees help kids. It’s a great community event.”