WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – June 12 is Women’s Veterans Day and Genesis Joy House celebrated by honoring a local female hero on Saturday June 10 at the Lady Hero Fashion Show.
Mandy Hazelton is an Air Force veteran, business owner and president of Genesis Joy House, a local organization that helps homeless female veterans by raising money to build shelters. She received the Evan Williams awards, given to honor veterans who continue to serve their community.
“I definitely feel honored to be even looked at in a category as a hero. I’m overwhelmed with joy. I’m really happy and I think it really made my family proud. So, that means a lot to me as well,” said Hazelton
Hazelton was in the Air Force for 20 years and retired in 2021. She continues to be involved in the community by serving at Genesis Joy House and mentoring at the Robins Air Force base, where she currently works.
The Lady Hero Fashion Show was a chance for attendees to participate in a silent auction and to highlight local businesses and boutiques. Hazelton owns two clothing brands featured in the fashion show: Hello Gorgeous Fashion Boutique, located at the Antique Mall in Warner Robins, and Conscious Couture where she remakes thrifted items into new items. Other brands that displayed their items in the show were Mimi’s Favorites, also located in the antique mall; Xanfool, a brand run by a 16-year-old who designs his own clothing; 478 United, Skulls, a local company that design clothes for gamers in the area and Fringe and Frayed.
Hazelton said all the brands had an interest in connecting with the community. She actively tried to get as many brands as possible to show diversity in the show, varying from streetwear to ladieswear.
“I think just their missions really had a big impact and their brands mean something. They all kind of stand for something different but it’s empowerment as well through those different brands so that’s what really drew me to those brands,” said Hazelton.
The event was also a fundraiser to help raise money for the organization. Fundraiser Chair Dominique Murray led the silent auction and raffle that attendees participated in while enjoying the fashion show.
Murray said it was a full community effort and businesses like Elegant Flooring, Lowe’s, Home Depot and small local businesses donated various products and auctioned them at the event. Murray also added that local artists also donated their work for auction at the event.
All the money raised from the fundraiser will go towards the organization and their homeless veterans’ shelters.
To find out more about this local organization visit genesisjoyhouse.com.
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