By Chelsea Royer
Joe and Beverly Cornell married fifty-three years ago, back when Grays Harbor was smaller and the towns newer. Joe and Beverly have both lived all their lives in the Harbor. One date at the movies turned to six months of courting and it wasn’t long before the two were married. Beverly was a stay-at-home mom and has forever been a resourceful and creative personality. Three children and over fifty years later, this couple is still taking care of one another, their family, and the community at large.
Joe’s daughter had heard about some local children in need and so she and Beverly decided it was within their power to help. Starting small, the mother-daughter duo began to meet more and more needs within the community through purchasing coats, gloves, and school supplies. Now, thirty years down the road, Joe and Bev continue what their daughter inspired on a much larger scale.
Because of Joe and Bev and community donations, hundreds of children throughout Grays Harbor receive Christmas gifts, school supplies, gloves and coats every year.
In 2014, 186 children received a pair of gloves. “There’s always someone who needs help,” says Joe. “Sometimes it’s hard because you don’t always see the results of your work.” But then there are the times when he receives handmade thank you notes from grateful students. He and Beverly cherish these tokens of gratitude and it helps encourage them to continue their mission.
Beginning with their own funds, Joe and Bev accept donations from community members and then do all of the shopping themselves. Despite setbacks in Bev’s health, she cheerfully remains by Joe’s side as they drive from store to store, choosing the perfect Christmas gifts. “Beverly has always been giving,” says Joe. “She’d help anyone. All this outreach has been her doing. I just love having her near me. We do everything together.”
As they shop, Beverly will “yea” or “nay” the gifts Joe picks out and Joe manages quality control. He refuses to purchase cheap clothing or toys that are a potential choking hazard. To test quality, he’ll bounce every ball before purchasing it to make sure it has the right level of spring. Each item is hand picked and bought with love and care. “We buy items as though we were purchasing them for our own kids,” explains Joe. “It’s not about numbers, it’s about helping well. We find great deals and stores will even call us when they have sales going on.”
As much as Joe loves giving back to the community throughout the year, his favorite part about what he does is being with his wife. “We’re always together. We’ve always had fun together and we still are (having fun). We are a team no matter what we do…despite some setbacks in our health, we soldier on. We are both 74 years old, but we don’t feel like it!” chuckles Joe. “We are just going to keep doing what we’re doing until we can’t anymore.”
Beverly’s bright features and welcoming smile light up a room. It’s as though you can tell, just from her smile, that she’s lived a life full of giving to everyone she encounters. She and Joe spend much of their time on the road, zipping from one store to the next as they have the funds to do so. When they aren’t shopping, they’re at home enjoying their garden and prize-winning dahlias. Forever behind the scenes, many have no idea they have the Cornells to thank for their gifts. Even when helping with Easter Egg hunts or dressed up as Santa at Christmas, Joe is in costume and worried more about the fun the children have than about recognition for his service.
If you like the idea of donating to an unofficial community service, Joe and Beverly accept donations throughout the year, as well as recommendations of families in need who could benefit from a helping hand. You may contact Joe at 360-612-3117.
