The girls are the first to say it – this isn't a straight-laced, formal group.
They're a little bit different for a charitable, volunteer organization, and even more so if you really start to think about the more traditional ones you usually see.
The mood – very light and playful – during an interview with two of the organization's members – Jennifer Frizzi and Nadaya Tresierra, along with Frizzi's nine-month-old daughter, Ella, – at a coffee shop in 100 Mile House recently probably says a lot about the group's character, and maybe how it mostly operates.
The six-member group, which also includes Rhiannon Elliott, Vicki Reed, Danielle Hodson and Danielle McLauchlin, is known as a “non-profit community improvement society.” They've been busy with different events and initiatives since officially forming in December 2012, so there's much to discuss.
However, somewhere near the start of the interview is a question about the name – where did “Hun City Hunnies” come from?
The girls share a look. It's not the first time they've heard it.
“Oh, gosh,” exclaims Frizzi. “Everyone has questions about our name.”
They try to break it down.
“OK.’Hun City' is for 100 Mile. And, well, 'Hunnies'...” Frizzi shoots her hair back. “Because, obviously?”
They end up laughing hysterically.
Tresierra collects herself first.
“It had a ring to it. I like it because it kind of sounds silly.”
“We're fun,” Frizzi adds.
“And we're 'hip'.” Tresierra says.
More laughter.
“Please don't quote me on that.”
Right about now it would be easy to say something about “all kidding” or “all fun” aside, this group really does remarkable things – but those aren't asides. Fun is basically the thing the Hunnies do, and they do it pretty well.
They can be found at many local events, but they're probably more recognizable for stuff like bringing in an AC/DC tribute band last summer, a pie throwing display at the South Cariboo Community Fall Fair in September, a stand-up comedy event at the 100 Mile Community Hall in October, or their float at the Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 29.
Next the ladies are planning a St. Patrick's Day event eat Marmot Ridge and hosting a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band they're hosting May long weekend.
It's not always easy to see what a community has to offer, Tresierra says. As longtime residents raising young families here, they want to bring those sorts of events for everyone to see and experience.
“We're proud to live here. We want to really help other people be proud to live here.
“Through events, projects, everything we do, that's one of our main goals – to raise community spirit.”
Indeed – when it's mentioned two shoppers standing in a checkout aisle at a local grocery store were overheard talking about how funny the stand-up comedy was a week, maybe two, after it happened, Frizzi and Tresierra react with a split-second of eye-contact – “Cool!” – before reaching across the table and connecting on a pretty enthusiastic high five.
As well as raising money for local charitable causes, portions of all the net proceeds from these aforementioned events are going toward the Hunnies' fire-hydrant project, which is something they're really excited about. They're hoping to eventually see all the fire hydrants on Birch Avenue painted – based on a theme the community will decide on.
“We think that's a cool way to make our town look pretty,” Tresierra says.
However, “community improvement” means more than looks, Frizzi adds.
“We're not just thinking improvement as aesthetically, like downtown.”
“Good word,” Tresierra interjects. “Aesthetically.”
“You like that?”
“Yea.”
They don't let each other off the hook for anything. Like good friends often don't.
The Hunnies meet once a week at their club house. (They say it's at a “top secret” location, but offer it's decorated pink.)
It's a time for them, and children and husbands, to get together. Dads look after the offspring in one part of the house, so the Hunnies can get down to business in the club house, which turns out is a room at Tresierra's place.
(The energy and little distractions involved with child care are on display during the interview. Ella is up on Tresierra's knee before climbing down so she can crawl around a bit. Frizzi says “let her roam,” but the girls keep an eye out. Ella's a cute baby and not very loud. Before it's over she chews up a 100 Mile House Free Press business card left un-pocketed on the table.)
Planning events for hundreds of people takes hundreds of hours of volunteer work, Frizzi explains. So it's a huge commitment. But they've come a long way in one year and the whole process is getting much easier, she says.
“It kind of evolved over a bunch of friends getting together over appetizers and wine. It's really come a long way even from what we thought it was going to be. It's so much more. We're all really proud of it. It's so cool to be a part of something like this.”
It's not all work, but it is a lot of work, Tresierra adds.
“But, a lot of it is fun work.”
Frizzi agrees. She recalls their pie-throwing booth at the South Cariboo Community Fall Fair.
“I love hanging out with my friends. Getting pies thrown in your face is fun work.”
Actually, it quickly comes out that “some” of the Hunnies were hit with pies, but not these two. They were planning on it, Tresierra explains, but it was really hot outside. Plus there was “a whole bunch of bees.” So they let other folks stand as targets for flying dessert.
The Hunnies get ideas for projects the old fashioned way – brainstorming. However, they also tap into the community – in person or on a social media.
“It's really cool because people are starting to recognize who we are and send off e-mails and private messages,” says Frizzi. “People are getting involved. That's really cool to us.”
The idea to bring in the comedians came from people commenting on the Hunnies Facebook page, for instance.
“We want to be able to act on behalf of the community,” Tresierra says. “It's not just what we want.”
The girls explain 100 Mile House isn't necessarily known as the most attractive place for new families to move and settle, and a lot of people leave town after graduating high school. Not everyone does, though.
“As we've grown older and some of us have started raising our own families. We realized why we wanted to live here and what a great place it is, and we want to make it better,” Tresierra says.
“We want to contribute to the community in our own kind of way.”