photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Three uniquely themed Christmas trees are pictured at Maceli's as part of the annual Festival of Trees fundraising event.

Organizers of the annual Festival of Trees benefit were busy this week transforming a downtown venue into a Christmas wonderland.

The festival, at Maceli’s Banquet Hall and Catering, 1031 New Hampshire St., is the primary fundraising event for the O’Connell Children’s Shelter, a local residential facility for at-risk kids.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Emily Cope’s “Tree of Hope” is adorned with more than 200 “meticulously crafted origami cranes” that symbolize peace and unity.

Gina Meier-Hummel, the shelter’s executive director, calls the festival, now in its 37th year, a “great holiday tradition” that involves “an amazing outpouring of support.”

“So many talented people give their time for it,” Meier-Hummel said, “and it takes a lot of work for people to put the trees and wreaths together.”

Public viewing of the themed trees — designed by individuals, teams or businesses — will kick off at 10 a.m Friday and run through Dec. 3, with an auction party on Dec. 2. A $5 donation is suggested for adults and children older than 6 who just want to view the trees. The event includes a variety of activities, such as cookies with Santa, breakfast with Santa, cocktails and carols, a holiday trivia party and an ugly-sweater contest. Kansas Jayhawk football standouts Kenny Logan Jr. and Cobee Bryant will be present for the first hour of cookies with Santa on the afternoons of Nov. 27 and 28. Information on times and prices for these events can be found here.

In addition to the trees, ornaments, wreaths, gingerbread houses and other holiday decor will also be on display and auctioned off.

Free State High School students crafted ornaments for several miniature trees. One of their projects features football-themed decorations that will be auctioned with an assortment of items donated by the Kansas City Chiefs.

“The kids came up with the ideas themselves and voted on what they wanted to do,” Free State High School teacher Elaine Hendrickson said. “They then designed (the ornaments) and worked as a team for about two weeks to get everything done.”

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

A Snoopy and Charlie Brown Christmas display is pictured at Maceli’s for the annual Festival of Trees fundraising event.

Another group — Susan Andersen, Bob Schwartz, Rick Moore and Helen Bennett — gathered on a weekly basis for nearly a year to work on a Snoopy and Charlie Brown-themed exhibit, which they dubbed “Peanuts’ Greetings.” Bennett said that she would like to see it go to a veterinary clinic lobby as a backdrop for people to take pictures with their pets. The group also played a role in crafting ornaments for a tree that features pressed pennies that were designed by children.

Other groups aiding the cause included local Girls Scouts, Lawrence VFW, Lawrence PRIDE and many more.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Natalie Wenger’s “Christmas at Tiffany’s” tree is designed to bring “the enchanting elegance of Tiffany blue to your holiday celebrations.”

Those interested in volunteering for the event can sign up here. The fundraising website can be found here. General information about O’Connell Children’s Shelter can be found here.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

A Taylor Swift-themed Christmas tree is pictured at Maceli’s as part of the annual Festival of Trees fundraising event.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

A miniature Christmas tree with ornaments designed by Free State High School students is pictured at the Festival of Trees. Also pictured are items donated by the Kansas City Chiefs football organization.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Nick Schmiedeler’s “Slice of the Holiday’s” themed-tree is designed to invoke the “spirit of the holidays” and “add a touch of festive cheer to any space,” while also serving as conversation starter.”

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

A wreath designed by Natalie Wenger is on display at Maceli’s for the Festival of Trees fundraiser.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

A gingerbread house donated by P.E.O. Chapter GQ is pictured at Festival of Trees. It’s described as a “sweet, whimsical rendition of an 1860s home with a nod to Lawrence’s history and embellished with holiday trimmings.”