More than 330 people enjoyed a May Sunday brunch at South Beach’s famous Joe’s Stone Crab for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s seventh annual “Claws for Kids” event.
Guests enjoyed delicious stone crabs and other signature menu items without the wait while raising more than $135,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s many programs. These include after school programs, homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts and crafts, professional mentoring, and summer and athletic programs.
This year’s event honored Andrew Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Lines, with the From the Heart Award for his overwhelming support and constant dedication to the children of the community.
As guests cracked their claws, a well-known Frank Sinatra impersonator, Jeff Grainger with Sinatra Sounds Entertainment, crooned.
Judy Kramer, philanthropist, graciously chaired this year’s event for the sixth time in a row. Also on the Claws for Kids Committee are special events chair Olga Guilarte, Lisa Kramer, Dr. Mark Walker, Rae Stein, Willie Ho, Vanessa Bertran and Lisa Mendelson.
“It’s an incredible pleasure to watch as this event grows in popularity each year,” Kramer said to the guests. “It’s a blessing to be able to count on the support of our existing sponsors from one year to the next and it’s wonderful to welcome new sponsors into the fold. We are extremely grateful to each and every one of you.”
The Carmen Rebozo Foundation was the event’s Main Claw Sponsor. Ocean Bank returned as the Jumbo Claw Sponsor. Performance Team Sports returned as the Large Claw Sponsor. Continental National Bank, Eller-ITO Stevedoring Company LLC and McDonald’s returned as Claw Sponsors.
More than 50 items were raffled including a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise, a Miami Marlins suite at Marlin’s Park for up to 22 guests, a Mother’s Day Treasure Chest that includes a two-night stay in Key West and Florida Panthers Box Seats.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, visit www.bgcmia.org.
Joe’s Stone Crab, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013, was established when Joseph Weiss came to Miami for a change of climate to help his asthma. Weiss opened a lunch stand on Miami Beach, originally offering fish and fries, which eventually evolved into today’s establishment located at 11 Washington Ave. For more information, visit www.joesstonecrab.com.
