Houston derecho 2024: CE King High School students lend a hand to Albert Benoit, 70, and his tree that fell due to the storm

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — An older man in Harris County in the northeast wants to make sure nine young men are rewarded after they stopped to help him clear away storm debris without being asked.

Albert Benoit, a 70-year-old heart attack survivor, said he expected to spend Monday picking up debris by himself.

But as he dragged tree branches to the corner, he said six students stopped on their way home from CE King High School and asked him if he would like them to help him .

“He was here alone. It looked like he needed help, so we came out here and started working,” said 14-year-old Kardarion Estes.

They spent that first day cutting down the massive tree that had fallen across most of Benoit’s yard.

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For their troubles, Benoit rewarded them with $20 each.

Half the original group returned Tuesday to finish the job and brought three more boys.

“It’s the right thing to do. Why shouldn’t I help him?” » said 15-year-old James Ross.

“There are a few bad kids. Everyone has them, and they seem to stand out. But you have more good kids than bad kids,” Benoit said.

“I was sweating, but I was crying. Because it meant a lot,” Benoit said, adding that he asked the young people to come back on Wednesday so they could be rewarded again.

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