Photos: Homeless hero gets a makeover

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PHOTOS: Homeless hero gets a makeover

Nov. 25, 2013: Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" that returned a woman's wallet he found, gets a hair and beard makeover.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, arrives at Nelda's Hair Salon to get a hair and beard makeover on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta. The makeover is compliments of the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, where he is a guest through Thanksgiving thanks to a hotel staff that searched tirelessly to find him.

Hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis has Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, take a seat at Nelda's Hair Salon to begin his makeover on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," appears a little uncertain as hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis shares a laugh with some of the staff as she begins the makeover on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, begins his makeover at Nelda's Hair Salon from hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis trims a little behind the ears of Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," during his makeover at Nelda's Hair Salon on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

The beard begins to fall away as Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," gets a makeover at Nelda's Hair Salon from hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Nesha Lewis has Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," squinting his eyes and holding back laughter during his makeover at Nelda's Hair Salon on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Hair and makeup aritst Nesha Lewis clowns around with Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," while trimming the beard away from his neck during his makeover compliments of the Omni Hotel at CNN Center at Nelda's Hair Salon on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Nesha Lewis finishes trimming the beard from the neck of Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," during his makeover at Nelda's Hair Salon on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis pauses to let Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," check out the progress of his makeover on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," appears pleased as he new look begins to come together from hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, fights back tears as he admires the progress hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis is making on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis works on the finishing touch during the makeover of Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," gets a final brushup during his makeover from Nesha Lewis on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, has his new look revealed to him by hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, smiles at his new look in the mirror with makeup artist Nesha Lewis at Nelda's Hair Salon on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," admires his new look at the conclusion of his makeover at Nelda's Hair Salon from hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, is overcome by emotion after looking in the mirror at the conclusion of his makeover at Nelda's Hair Salon from hair and makeup artist Nesha Lewis on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," wipes his eyes at the conclusion of his makeover on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Omni Hotel at CNN Center general manager Scott Stuckey presents Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, with some gifts from well-wishers that included a gift card to Publix, a note with $80, and a card with $500 on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta. Hartman, moved to tears, said, "This is too much. This has been a life-changing experience. It has helped bring me out of the gutter. I was in a really bad place emotionally and spiritually. I just know that if this helps other homeless people it would be awesome. I want to help change the stereotypes."

Omni Hotel at CNN Center general manager Scott Stuckey reads a card while presenting Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, with some gifts from well-wishers that included a gift card to Publix, a note with $80, and a card with $500 at the hotel on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, hugs Omni Hotel at CNN Center general manager Scott Stuckey after Stuckey presented him with some gifts from well-wishers that included a gift card to Publix, a note with $80, and a card with $500 on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta.

A note left for Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero," reads, "What a wonderful thing you have done! Makes me proud to be an American!"

The card reads: "Thank you so much for your random act of kindness! It reminds me that there is still good left in this world. I lost my dad almost 10 years ago, Joel. I thought then that I would never be able to move forward, much less have a life like when he was here with me. With the help of my husband, I was able to deal with my loss and realize my dad wouldn't want me to live life in sadness. So, with that said, this is a way I can honor him and his life! Thank you again! I wish you peace in life! Emily." The card contained five $100 bills for Hartman, who broke down in tears upon receiving it.

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Joel Hartman, the "Homeless Hero" who returned a woman's wallet he found digging through trash hoping to find someone's leftover food, arrives at Nelda's Hair Salon to get a hair and beard makeover on Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta. The makeover is compliments of the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, where he is a guest through Thanksgiving thanks to a hotel staff that searched tirelessly to find him.

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