Vietnam veteran was struggling after losing his wife—things took a turn after he started offering ‘honey do’ handyman services
Service to other people can make a big difference in a person's own life, too. A 76-year-old Vietnam War veteran, Danny Chauvin, had lost his wife and had nothing much to do with his days. Previously, his time used to be occupied with doing various handyman jobs around the house for his wife, but that was no longer the case. To combat loneliness and to find a purpose, the man came up with a brilliant idea that earned him the title of the "honey-do dude," per CBS News.
Chauvin had been previously treated for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the army during the Vietnam War. Being alone with his thoughts wasn't the best thing for him. "That's when stuff comes back to you." The man wanted to be busy and remembered how he used to do all the handyman jobs for his wife. So the man put out a message on Facebook, offering his services. "If there are any honey-do jobs that you can't handle, I'm willing to help," he wrote. "And it spread. It spread like wildfire," Chauvin added. The man started getting enough work to go by someone's house daily or to make even four visits in a day.
He does everything from fixing showers, closet doors and even putting up porch swings. The biggest part, Chauvin provides all the services absolutely free of cost. "He showed much kindness to people," one of his customers expressed. Most of his customers are single or widowed women. They are the ones who have given him the title of the "Honey-Do Dude," per the outlet. The customers shared that Chauvin was the only person who was willing to do these jobs. The man only accepts a picture with his customers as a reminder to keep him going. Chauvin pointed out that his PTSD had gotten better since he started doing the work. "Right now, I've got a lot of friends," the man remarked.
People appreciated what the man was doing to heal in the comments section of the video. @maritesbaetiong9771 wrote, "I hope these women that he has helped will pay him back by giving him a cooked meal, especially during the holidays when widows and widowers feel the loneliest." @lisabreland798 shared, "We love you! You are such an important part of our beautiful coastal community! Signed, a fan from Bay St. Louis." @ms.t6661 expressed, "He’s such a sweet man. God bless him! Makes my heart warm. Being charitable is one of the things he wants us to be to his people! God bless everyone!"
@olga138 remarked, "What a kind man. As the wife of a frail man, I can tell you that I really miss my husband's ability to do all those small jobs around the house. This guy is a mensch." @cryptopappy648 commented, "I'm a vet with PTSD and so alone, too. I think I'm going to start a Honey Do Non-Business, too! Before cancer takes me and I won't be able to do anything anymore. I love this idea. Thanks! Now I have a goal in life again! Thank you, Danny! I haven't had good direction in a long, long, long time! Don't have much strength to work even a cashier's job, but purpose gives me energy. I'll start my Honey-Do project when I get back to work. I meet a lot of folk who just need a little boost and that'll boost me!"