In northeast Harris County, a 70-year-old resident named Albert Benoit, who survived a heart attack, found himself faced with the daunting task of clearing storm debris from his property alone. However, his expectations were pleasantly surprised when a group of six young men from C.E. King High School stopped to offer their assistance, unprompted.
The students, ranging from 14 to 15 years old, noticed Benoit’s solitary efforts and spontaneously decided to lend a hand. They immediately got to work, helping him drag out tree branches and chop up a large fallen tree that had obstructed his backyard.
Impressed and grateful for their kindness, Benoit rewarded each of the young men with $20 as a token of appreciation. Despite this gesture, half of the original group returned the following day, accompanied by three more boys, to complete the task.
Reflecting on the experience, Benoit expressed his admiration for the youths’ willingness to help, emphasizing that their actions exemplified the goodness in people. He acknowledged that while there may be a few troublesome individuals, the majority of young people are compassionate and eager to assist others in need.
Moved by the students’ generosity, Benoit was overcome with emotion, feeling both grateful and touched by their selflessness. He even invited them to return for another day of work, intending to reward them once more for their outstanding efforts.
