History
Informed Families Dinner at Joe's
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Twenty-five years ago three of Miami’s most prominent families, Betty and Alvah Chapman (Knight-Ridder), Susan and Frank Borman (Eastern Airlines), and Dorothy and Don Shula (Miami Dolphins) were looking for a fundraising event for their new organization, Informed Families. They chose Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant to be their partner. Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant is one of Miami’s finest family-owned businesses with a world-class reputation and an international outreach. It was only natural to choose Joe’s Stone Crab.
From the first year the prestige and excitement of this event has been, “We know how to get into Joe’s without the wait.” With this reputation from the first year and there after, this dinner has been a sold out event with a waiting list. With many of the families and table hosts attending every dinner.
Past Chairpersons and Corporate Sponsors have included Ana Rentz, President of Northern Trust Bank; Bob and Paula Brockway, of Bill Ussery Mercedes Benz; Steve Sawitz of Joe’s Stone Crab; Mayor Alex and Lilliam Penelas; and Coach Don Shula. Recent corporate sponsors have included Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Baptist HealthSouth and this year’s presenting sponsor Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables and Mercedes Benz of Cutler Bay.
Many guests have been inducted into “The Royal Order of the Grand Claw”. Induction into “The Royal Order of the Grand Claw” is an honor for those who have attended Joe’s Dinner for a minimum of 5 years. Did you notice the little stone crab pin on the waiters at Joe’s? Well that pin originated with the “Royal Order of the Grand Claw”.
When asked why such loyalty to the Joe’s event, the reply is “It’s simple, Informed Families is a good cause, plus there are no speeches or awards. It is just a great street party, good food, music and friends.”
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