Save room for pie

Since August 2011, The Atomic Angels have worked hard to show Sacramento charity’s glamorous side. The volunteer group, comprising pinup model volunteers, hosts parties and mixers and collects pies all in a quest to raise money for local causes. Founder Jamie-Lynn Hazzard says the meetings are “75 percent super hard work and 25 percent laugh-until-your-belly-hurts fun.” The high-energy group supports local organizations, such as Loaves & Fishes, with retroworthy events like September’s Mad Men Pool Party. And just in time for Thanksgiving, the Angels will host a pie drive on Sunday, November 18. Hazzard talked to SN&R about tattoos, sexy logos and, yes, baked goods.

How did The Atomic Angels start?

I had been a longtime volunteer and supporter of local charities and knew other ladies with the same passion. The idea was if we came together, we could achieve a lot more than we could individually. There are a lot of other female groups in town and a lot of other volunteer and charity opportunities, but I wanted a group that did both—something to connect women together not for personal gain, but to help the community.

What’s the story behind your logo?

The logo was originally inspired by a vintage women’s Masonic symbol—with a cross, a bible and an anchor. The anchor is a symbol of hope, which we really connected with. We wanted a [World War II]-era pinup girl to replace the cross. …. The anchor gives strength, and the yellow roses represent our friendship. Some said that it was a little too sexy to be the logo for a charity group, but we feel it is representative. Our logo says “charity,” “hope” and “friendship,” and these are the ideals we hope to share with everyone we meet.

Why WWII era?

I connect with the wholesome focus of that time. … My great-grandmother and grandmother taught me to hold important many of the ideals of that time. Women took pride in their homes and families … [and] women’s groups that worked to improve their communities were common. Women were also discovering their power in the workforce. The realization that women could do anything they put their minds to was really taking hold [during] that time.

How do you pick the organizations you assist?

We choose a charity for each month and try to plan an event that complements that charity and season.

Have you ever partnered with other similar groups at events?

We [have]! The Nor Cal Vixens and Dagmars CarClub came out to help with the Mad Men party. It was really exciting to have these wonderful ladies support that cause by our side. We love the idea of … everyone working with each other to achieve great things.

Why pies?

For [the Angels’] first pie drive, we spoke with Sister Libby [Fernandez] at Loaves & Fishes and said that we’d like to do a drive for a single item. We asked what item [it] most needed for the Thanksgiving meal. Her answer was turkeys and pies. Pies go with our homespun image. … We raised close to 100 homemade and store-bought pies last year and hope to beat that this year.

What else is in the works?

We hope to have a calendar available by December, and a cookbook [is] planned for a summer release.

A pinup calendar?

Yes, a pinup calendar! And the cookbook will contain the Angels’ own best recipes as well as winners of multiple recipe contests we have held in the last year.

Has everyone in your group always had such a love for glamour, getting dressed up and body art?

Glamour and dressing up, yes, and one of the things we hope to be able to share with people [is that] charity work can be fun and glamorous. The body-art thing is just a coincidence that many of our members share. I think it’s indicative of the times. It’s more the norm than it was in the past. Although most of us do have tattoos, it is in no way a requirement of the group.