By Ana Rodriguez Soto - Florida Catholic newspaper
Bunny Bastian of Epiphany parish enjoys a pre-lunch drink on the patio at Joe's.
Posing for a photo, from left: former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and his wife Robin, members of St. Kieran Parish; Mariana and Juan O'Naghten of Epiphany Parish; and Susan and Leo Guzman of Little Flower in Coral Gables.
Posing for a photo, from left: Dave Pryzbylski, Sister Stephanie Flynn and Sister Kathleen Carr of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, principal and vice principal, respectively, of St. James School in North Miami; Doreen Roberts, principal of Holy Family School in North Miami and her husband, Jim Roberts; and Kim Pryzbylski, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese.
Posing for a photo, from left: Jennie Means, Richard Stockinger and Kathleen Vazquez of St. Francis de Sales Parish on Miami Beach.
Posing for a photo, from left: Maria Freile, Pete Lorenzo, Guillermo Freile and Maria Pia del Castillo of Our Lady of the Lakes Church, Miami Lakes.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski poses with Maria and Alexis Leal of St. David Church in Davie.
From left, Carlos Vazquez, Alexis Mabe and Fredy Padovan. Mabe and Padovan teach at Immaculata-La Salle High School in Miami.
Rosario Llerena and George Ledvina pose with their pastor, Father Bernard Kirlin of St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Sunny Isles Beach.
Having fun while waiting for their stone crabs: Suzy and Joe Lacher of Epiphany Parish in Miami.
The group from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Doral get ready to dig in.
Members of the Bauta family from St. Louis Parish in Pinecrest smile for the camera before starting their meal.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski poses with Cheers to Charity sponsors Sonnia Viyella, Juan Munilla and Miguel Viyella.
Michael and Lynda Gordon from St. Hugh Parish in Coconut Grove are ready to get started on their stone crab claws.
Members of the Irastorza family from Epiphany Parish pose for a photo.
Father Richard Vigoa, priest secretary to Archbishop Thomas Wenski, poses with Lyanne Azqueta; behind them are Aleco and Carol Azqueta.
Waiting to dig into their salads, far right, Lian Fanjul, and Nelson and Lourdes Rodriguez.
Frankie Sanchez poses with his mom, Mariana, and sister, Alessandra. They are from St. Hugh Parish.
Waiting for their food: Mariana Martinez and Gonzalo De La Iglesia of St. Hugh Parish.
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, second from left, and his wife, Ana, pose with guests at the table sponsored by Jorge Luis and Marile Lopez, standing, far right, next to Father Richard Vigoa.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski chats with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and his wife, Lourdes.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski wears the iconic Joe's bib for eating stone crabs.
Photography: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC
MIAMI BEACH | The stone crabs were delicious and the company fabulous, but best of all was the money raised: Over $150,000 “clams” for archdiocesan charities.
In welcoming 500 donors to the fourth annual Cheers to Charity at Joe’s Stone Crab, Archbishop Thomas Wenski described it as “the most popular event in the Catholic community.”
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC
Archbishop Thomas Wenski wears the iconic Joe's bib for eating stone crabs.
Perhaps, he said, that’s because it involves “no long speeches” and plenty of “great food.”
Indeed, after briefly thanking sponsors and saying grace, the archbishop sat down, put on Joe’s iconic paper bib, and dug into a cold plate of meaty stone crab claws — accompanied by Joe’s famous creamed spinach, hash browns and key lime pie.
Among the donors the archbishop thanked at the event were:
Jumbo Claw sponsors:- Lee Osiason
- Michael and Lynda Gordon
- Bunny Bastian
- Brickell Motors
- Paul and Trudy Cejas
- Terry Buoniconti and Chris Pederson
- The Dooner Group
- Ferraro Family Foundation
- Jorge Luis and Marile Lopez
- Juan and Laura Munilla
- Juan and Mariana O’Naghten
- Sonnia and Miguel Viyella
- Wells Fargo
TD Bank sponsored the champagne, and there were 17 Key Lime sponsors.
“Cheers to Charity at Joe’s Stone Crab is a wonderful way for the Catholic community to unite with the archbishop to raise funds in support of the many life-changing ministries of the Catholic Church here in south Florida,” said Katie Blanco, president of the archdiocesan Development Corporation. “It is an opportunity for us to unite as one family of God; a vibrant, welcoming and family friendly event which has quickly become one of the most popular.”
One other popular fundraiser remains: the annual ManCave with Archbishop Wenski, featuring drinks and dominos for men (and women). It will take place Wednesday, May 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cuban Crafters, 3604 N.W. Seventh St., Miami. Tickets are $100/person and proceeds benefit Catholic Charities’ Unaccompanied Minors Program.
