November 13, 2008

Assistance League blossoms with Bloomsters and brunch

By Shana McLean Moore
Staff Writer

The Assistance League continued to make good on its pledge to put caring and commitment into action when it hosted a brunch at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club with a captivating flower arranging presentation by Kren Rasmussen of Bloomster’s.

Glenna Trudeau, left, Event Chair Linda Krafty, floral designer Kren Rasmussen from Bloomster’s, and Chapter President Jo Ann Khoobyarian pose for a photo after the event. Photo by Shana Moore

The San Jose chapter of the Assistance League, a national volunteer organization with more than 120 chapters, raises valuable funds to support its philanthropic programs.

The morning started off with a commendation by City Councilmember Nancy Pyle, who recognized the club’s 25 years of service. Then it was club president Jo Ann Khoobyarian’s turn to welcome the event attendees followed by Linda Krafty, resource development chair, who recognized the underwriters and sponsors that made the event possible.

Attendees were then treated to a champagne brunch with assorted breakfast rolls, juices, scrambled eggs, country potatoes, sausage and bacon, which they enjoyed while taking in the main event: a flower arranging presentation by the creative and entertaining Kren Rasmussen of Almaden Valley’s Bloomster’s.

In addition to creating beautiful displays in record time that paired beautiful flowers with tree branches, kale and autumn fruits – such as persimmons and miniature pumpkins that added height and dimension to the arrangements – Rasmussen entertained the nearly 150 guests with witty remarks and practical tips.

After creating a display that included twigs and cattails, for example, Rasmussen quipped that “this is one of those arrangements that the delivery guys hate me for.” He then gave tips such as adding glue to the holes in pierced fruits to prevent rapid spoiling and making a habit of never reusing the spongy oases that turn flower water murky when re-used. Rasmussen also claimed to be a big fan of using zip ties when creating arrangements—so much so that he expressed interest in buying stock in the companies that make them.

The laughter and choruses of oohs and ahhs resulting from Rasmussen’s lively presentation were a testament to the fact that those attendees had a good time while supporting an organization whose members may dress well for brunches, but that knows how to get their hands dirty to show their commitment to the seven philanthropic causes they embrace.

From funding, measuring and providing school uniforms to disadvantaged children in 21 local schools to “Kids on the Block” puppet shows that address the topic of bullying, one-on-one reading programs, eye screenings for pre-schoolers and Senior Pals — an outreach program for local convalescent homes — these ladies reach people in need with their funds as well as with their open arms.

Assistance League member and Almaden resident Mary Dingley provides event attendees with a up-close view of one of Kren Rasmussen’s arrangements. Photo by Shana Moore

Martie Degutis, the public relations chair of the event, attended the brunch for the first time this year and was excited to bring her grown daughter, a neighbor and the neighbor’s daughter. “It is a special reunion to have the neighborhood women together again,” Degutis said. “I am really proud to be a part of this group—we do a lot of wonderful things with a very limited budget,” she added.

As much as Degutis enjoyed the brunch, her favorite part of her relationship with the Assistance League comes when they have raised the money and can go out and do good things for the children. “When we measure the kids for uniforms who can’t afford to buy them, it is so gratifying. It reminds us of why we do this.”

Degutis’ fellow club members made up the majority of the well-heeled crowd. Leticia Crouzet-Pascal, club volunteer and owner of Almaden’s popular hangout UnWined, attended the brunch for the third time. “It gets better and better every year,” said Crouzet-Pascal. “I invited friends to join me this year and enjoyed being a part of the event by donating UnWined gift certificates to the raffle.”

Saratoga resident Shirley Johnson attended the event because she is a charter member of the Los Gatos-Saratoga chapter. “We are closely united to this group. We like to support each other and share ideas. This has been a wonderful event!”

Rosemary Self, another member of the San Jose chapter, chooses to volunteer with Assistance League and support its fundraising efforts because her work is hands-on. “I love it because we can connect directly with the people we’re helping— and the people we help are so happy to see that people care about them,” she said.

The caring and committed spirit of the organization was evident even to non-members who intended on merely coming to show support and enjoy the brunch and presentation. Charlene Chavez, who attended the event with one of her photography clients, ended up expressing interest in joining because of the same hands-on culture that Self described, providing an opportunity for people to make face-to-face connections while making a difference in the community.

This means, of course, that flowers weren’t the only thing blooming at Cinnabar Hills last week—there were also the new buds of community ties that make life meaningful for those who do good deeds and those who receive them.