Toms River florist recognized for abuse victim support

Every home looks a little brighter when it sports a spray of fresh flowers. Perhaps at no home do multi-colored, aromatic bouquets have the same impact that they do at Tina's House, for Ocean County families coping with child sexual and physical abuse.

This week, Ken Malagiere and his staff at Narcissus Florist in Toms River were recognized as they neared their second full year of delivering freshly-cut displays every Monday.

Fostered by Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, Tina's House is the re-envisioned Ocean County Child Advocacy Center. It bears the identity and continues the spirit of Tina Rambo, the county special-victims detective whose life was cut short in a crash in Southampton in 2011.

The ranch-style house, bathed in calming colors and filled with quality furnishings, beach-type art, a playroom and even an autographed Mets jersey from county native Al Leiter, is a complete turnabout from the clinical atmosphere one normally associates with the gritty, often sordid reason for its existence. The flowers complete the scenario.

Malagiere received a plaque to commemorate his business's quiet, dedicated and "very meaningful weekly act of kindness and concern."