Honoring 37 Years of Compassionate Service: Celebrating John Hanks’ Powerful Legacy of Care

“’I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.’ I believe there are more quiet angels out there than we realize.”

– Retired Duet volunteer, John Hanks

For nearly four decades, homebound services volunteer, John Hanks, has built a legacy of compassion and dedication to hundreds of Duet neighbors. His steadfast commitment has made him an integral part of Duet’s history and evolution—almost from the very beginning. 

John began volunteering in March 1987—nearly 32 years ago. During his professional career, John was a senior technical writer for Honeywell. He found out about Duet through his faith community in 1987 and began volunteering because he wanted to serve others. “After one conversation with a Duet neighbor, my problems don’t seem as big as they once were,” he shares. “I signed a one year volunteer contract for Duet – and I’m still figuring out which year it’s referring to,” jokes John.  

Five years ago, John sat down with us to share his “why” for volunteering for homebound adults. “When you provide transportation to someone who needs it, you’re blessed whether you’re the driver or the person being driven,” John says. “When you’re doing something for somebody else, you kind of forget your own problems for a while, and you realize that’s a blessing.”

Now, after being an extremely active volunteer, John has had to give up driving, and has a keen understanding of the challenges his neighbors faced. His message for those considering volunteering is powerful. He shares, “Volunteering helps you live longer. You don’t become a pity party because you realize that you’re still functioning and still able to do something for somebody else—you can bless them in that way.”

John’s quiet legacy has created a profound ripple effect within the community for nearly four decades. You can continue this powerful legacy of care by signing up today for an upcoming volunteer orientation. Be that quiet angel unaware and help an isolated homebound adult living in your neighborhood remain independent for just a few hours a month.