MIAMI BEACH | A sold-out crowd of benefactors and friends filled Joe's Stone Crab Nov. 6 for a fundraising luncheon benefiting the Marian Center School. 

The sixth annual "Claws for Celebration" event raised money to upgrade the school's aging playground and exercise area. Once upgraded, the area will be named Sister Lucia's Sport and Fitness Park, in honor of the Marian Center's founder, Sister Lucia Ceccotti.

Sister Lucia led the first group of Sisters of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo who came from Italy to open the Marian Center, a school for the developmentally disabled operated under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Miami. The sisters continue to direct and staff the center, which also offers adult day training and a residence for women with developmental disabilities.

The luncheon was organized by the Marian Center Auxiliary, and event chair Toni Apicella. The auxiliary is a group of volunteers committed to ensuring the future of the Marian Center via fundraising events and member donations.