The 2023 Paw Valley Challenge was the 4th year of walking, running, and biking the entire month of May and the 2nd year we’ve celebrated with a super awesome party on the front lawn of the shelter! This year, we collectively logged nearly 25,000 miles (that’s as far as going all the way around the earth at the equator!) and we raised $38,628 for the pets and people of Lawrence Humane!
It was a rainy start to Sunday, June 12th, the day of our Paw Valley Celebration and setting up the party was certainly a challenge. But we forged along – the rain pausing at the perfect time for our animal-loving community to join us for food, drinks, and more as we celebrated all the miles walked and funds raised during our month-long Paw Valley Challenge!
A huge shout out to all our sponsors and vendors who joined us – Truity Credit Union fired up the grill and provided the food; O’Malley Beverage of KS donated a variety of drinks; Colin Nichols played us some tunes; our friends from Hill’s Pet Nutrition passed out all sorts of fun goodies; folks from Lawrence Arts Center brought awesome kids activities; Dottie, the mobile truck from the Lawrence Public Library was there offering free books and library cards; we had Aunt Nancy’s Face Art and Gabe the Caricature artist painting and drawing beautiful faces; Paintings by Mary sold her fun and gorgeous earrings; Lawrence Pet Friends came to talk to folks about their pet-sitting services; McClain’s Bakery served lattes & baked goods; and Torched Goodness brought their incredible crème brûlées! We’d also like to shout out volunteer Pancho Metz, for taking photographs of the event.
We’re so thankful to all those who participated and hope you’ll join us again next year! 
