O'Connell Children's Shelter

09/15/2026

Today, Sophia is celebrating her one-year work anniversary with us. As a prevention case manager, Sophia provides tools, support, and accountability to help youth make safer choices, repair harm when appropriate, and build a more hopeful future. She helps with residential groups, and after developing the curriculum herself, just finished running the first Prevention youth social skills group we've hosted in several years. Sophia is a dedicated advocate for her clients, and forming connections with our young people is one of her favorite parts of her job. Outside of work (and sometimes inside), Sophia loves to sing, enjoys being outdoors, and drinking milk! Thank you for everything you do, Sophia. And congratulations on your one-year anniversary!

09/14/2026

Summer’s End pre-registration has been re-opened!! Dont miss this rare opportunity to get your bundle before it closes out again at the end of the week! See you on October 3rd!! 🚗🚗

With the show postponed to Oct 3 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, there is a renewed opportunity to preregister your ride. That's right, you can not only skip filling out forms at the registration table, but with a $25 prepaid package you will get a boat load of goodies. With the prepaid package you will get the commemorative Tee Shirt, Custom Dash Plaque, and lot's of other goodies. You can still preregister without payment, but why miss out on the goodie bag. Huh?

So take advantage right away. The preregistration will end in a week.

Hope to see you at the show.

Follow this link: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261867556782070
or scan the QR code on the poster that follows.

Lawrence Blue Santa O'Connell Children's Shelter Set 'em up Jacks

09/11/2026

🚨 CAR SHOW UPDATE — NEW DATE & NEW LOCATION! 🚨

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the 2026 Summer’s End Cruise-In originally scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at Broken Arrow Park has been POSTPONED.

🏁 BUT THE SHOW WILL GO ON! 🏁

We’re excited to announce our NEW DATE & INDOOR LOCATION:
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 4-H Fairgrounds Community Indoor Arena, Lawrence, KS

Same great Summer’s End fun — Hot Rods, Cool Bikes & Smoked Butts — just on a new date and at a new location! 🔥🚗🏍️

Already registered? Your registration will carry over to the new date.

Please help us spread the word by SHARING this post with your friends, car clubs, bike groups, vendors, sponsors and everyone who was planning to join us!

We appreciate everyone’s understanding and flexibility, and we can’t wait to see you October 3rd! ❤️💛🖤
SAVE THE NEW DATE & SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!


Lawrence Blue Santa O'Connell Children's Shelter Set 'em up Jacks

09/11/2026

🚗❤️ NEW DATE - NEW LOCATION— SAME GREAT CAUSES! 🚗💙

The Summer’s End Cruise-In has been postponed, but the fun is still coming! Mother Nature wont keep us down for long & the party will go on!! We’re incredibly grateful to be one of this year’s beneficiaries and appreciate everyone who is supporting this event. We hope you all will be to join us in a few weeks and at a new location…the 4H Fairgrounds!!

📅Mark your calendars for October 3rd! We can’t wait to see you there! 🚘✨

🚨 CAR SHOW UPDATE — NEW DATE & NEW LOCATION! 🚨

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the 2026 Summer’s End Cruise-In originally scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at Broken Arrow Park has been POSTPONED.

🏁 BUT THE SHOW WILL GO ON! 🏁

We’re excited to announce our NEW DATE & INDOOR LOCATION:
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 4-H Fairgrounds Community Indoor Arena, Lawrence, KS

Same great Summer’s End fun — Hot Rods, Cool Bikes & Smoked Butts — just on a new date and at a new location! 🔥🚗🏍️

Already registered? Your registration will carry over to the new date.

Please help us spread the word by SHARING this post with your friends, car clubs, bike groups, vendors, sponsors and everyone who was planning to join us!

We appreciate everyone’s understanding and flexibility, and we can’t wait to see you October 3rd! ❤️💛🖤
SAVE THE NEW DATE & SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!


Lawrence Blue Santa O'Connell Children's Shelter Set 'em up Jacks

09/10/2026

Earlier this week, our Executive Director, Gina Meier-Hummel was honored to present at the Excellence in Supervision Conference in Manhattan. Sponsored by DCF, this targeted event honors supervisory leaders and provides continuing education to supervisors from DCF and contract and sub-contract agencies across the state's regions. The goals include improving workforce retention and management practices.

Approximately 150 people attended her 3-hour presentation on Ethical Implications in Child and Family Services, designed to review the National Association of Social Workers ethical standards and discuss implications in practice. Activities included role-playing and case study scenarios, as well as a completion of vision boards illustrating ethical child welfare.

09/08/2026

09/03/2026

Today, Kiana is celebrating one-year working with O'Connell! As a teaching assistant in our YRCII program, Kiana goes above and beyond with both the youth on the ranch and also with the tasks associated with keeping the house running smoothly. She brings a motherly vibe with her to work, which is natural because she's a mother of two herself! Known as even-keeled and well-balanced when working with O'Connell youth, Kiana adjusts to the always-changing environment in a calm and collected way. Outside of work, Kiana enjoys family time and is an avid fiction reader. Congratulations Kiana, we are so glad you are a part of the O'Connell team!

Shoutout to one of our young people who took this amazing photo of Kiana and the great snap of Billy last week as well!

08/31/2026

🚨🚨🚨 This week, our prevention team will be tabling in the Lawrence Public Library Atrium. On September 2 and 3, they will be available to answer questions and help folks sign up for services from 4-6 pm.

08/31/2026

Mike is a true handyman! We are so grateful to have his experience and drive leading our small and mighty maintenance team. His favorite activity on the ranch is being on the tractor where he can ride solo and get stuff done. O'Connell certainly wouldn't be as proud of our grounds and facilities without Mike's commitment to making everything just right. In his off time, Mike stays busy with personal projects and spending time with this family. Congratulations Mike, you're the best!

08/28/2026

Get your best ride ready and cruise in to the Summer’s End Car Show on Sept. 12!

Summer's End Cruise-In is approaching rapidly, and with that comes some wonderful sponsors stepping up big in their support of O'Connell Children's Shelter and Lawrence Blue Santa. We will be featuring all of our sponsors in the coming days with the hope that you will patronize these businesses. Our sponsors are stepping up for charity, so how about all of us stepping up for them.

Remember, Saturday, September 12 is the day. Broken Arrow Park, 31st and Louisiana in beautiful Lawrence, KS. Lots of cars and trucks to see, Touch and Truck and Bluey and Bingo for the kids, Concessions by Set 'em up Jacks with BBQ by Rumspringa BBQ, music by Rich Johnson After Midnight and Easy G and the Blue Notes, Free to enter (but remember to support our charities with a donation), Trophies in numerous categories. What more could you ask for?