November 25, 2005


A floral fantasy fundraiser

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Everyone who has ever seen a Bloomsters floral arrangement says you can always spot Kren Rasmussen’s unique work a mile away. On Nov. 12, he revealed some of his tricks to members of the Assistance League, along with a secret or two.

Seven lucky ladies bought winning raffle tickets and went home with one of Kren Rasmussen’s floral fantasy arrangements on Thursday. Shown from the left are Joyce Gibson, Willy Fonda, Marilyn Dumesnil, Bobbi Coyle-Hennessey, Rasmussen, Tracy Heldt, Barbara Hazel, and Margie Bruno.

However, to be “in the know” you had to be one of the 125 lucky ladies with tickets to the sold out Assistance League of San Jose’s Fall Floral Fantasy at the Almaden Country Club. That’s where he produced one arrangement after another; much like a magician would pull tricks out of a hat.

For two hours, Kren dazzled the attentive crowd with unlikely pairings of riniculus and roses, copper wire and cala lilies, protea and pomegranates, and yes, his trademark—a curly willow branch.

He demonstrated how to both prolong an arrangement, while watching it change merely by peeling away the petals to reveal delicate pods inside.

There was also antherium, sunflowers, roses, tulips, tropicals, orchids, lady apples, persimmons, and tree branch odds and ends plucked from neighborhood clippings on Friday mornings before city trucks could scoop them up.

Krens’s unique designs, combined with his wit and a penchant for personal service have also become his trademarks over the past 19 years.

“I wanted them to walk away having a sense of some new tricks and techniques they can use for their home and when entertaining,” he said.

The guests were so pleased with the event they may have to look for a larger venue next year, according to Public Relations Chair Joyce Hughes.

“It was a sold out success,” she said. “The response was so positive that many attendees inquired as to when our next fundraiser would take place. We know that ticket sales were certainly boosted by Kren’s reputation.”

His arrangements, seven in all, were raffled off in an effort to raise additional funds for Assistance League programs.

“Kren is just such a crowd-pleaser,” said Hughes. “His name and reputation really make people want to attend. We know we are going to need a larger location next year.”

Although the total amount raised was not disclosed, Trudeau said it was the league’s most successful fundraising event ever. The money will go a long way toward providing school uniforms for underprivileged children, teddy bears for those who have been abused or traumatized and assistance for homebound seniors. More important, none of this would be possible without the event, which would never have been held without the generosity of many people.

“The supporters of the Assistance League of San Jose know that without their generous donations, we’d be unable to carry out our commitment to those in need,” she said. “A big thank you goes out to all who attended this event. Be assured your donations will be well spent.”

Assistance League is a national nonprofit organization that puts caring and commitment into action through community-based philanthropic projects. While the events typically raise several thousand dollars, corporate grants still make up the lions share of their project costs. For more information on Assistance League, including Operation School Bell®, Project S.E.E., Senior Bingo, Fingerprinting, Operation Hug, Kids on the Block, Project hEARt and Senior Telecare, visit www.sanjose.assistanceleague.org or call (408) 997-7503.