Widower warmed by continuing nonprofit’s mission

An exception to the old saying “cold hands, warm heart” was highly apparent Wednesday after a Central Park man handed out knit gloves to local school children. You can indeed have both.

For Joe Cornell, life is different since the death in March of his beloved wife of 53 years, Beverly, but he wants to continue warming other people’s hearts —not to mention his own — by helping children. He achieved it that day at least by giving each child a pair of gloves at McDermoth Elementary School in Aberdeen.

For 35 years, the couple together operated the nonprofit organization “Making a Difference for Grays Harbor Kids,” which purchases and distributes not only gloves but hats, coats and other clothing as well as toys and school supplies to area children.

It was a team effort and continuing it makes him “feel a little closer to my wife,” Cornell said. “We did everything together. I know Beverly would want it carried on though it’s all overwhelming sometimes.”

He looked slightly ill-at-ease as he waited to start giving out the gloves but began to smile as he started walking toward the first classroom at McDermoth. Second-grade teacher Theresa Fleming asked her students to line up. Cornell then proceeded to give each child a pair of gloves.

Their newest essential wardrobe items were on the children’s hands almost immediately. Smiles and giggles filled the room as they rubbed their arms and hands with their newly gloved hands.

“They’re soft,” one girl standing in line said as she felt a pair of bright blue ones a classmate had just received.

A couple of other children, also with new blue gloves, crossed their arms and waived their hands as they repeatedly stepped to the right, then to the left.

“We’re bluebirds!” one of them shouted as they pretended to flap wings.

Principal Brandon Winkelman said the children would be even happier to have new gloves when they wear them outside for the first time. That was at recess.

Some people ask Cornell why the organization doesn’t wait until Christmas to distribute winter-season gifts.

“They need gloves right now because it gets pretty cold out there. Cold enough that you can see your breath,” Cornell said.

The students in Fleming’s class also presented Cornell with a huge Thank You card to further show how grateful McDermoth students were to receive these gifts.

Cornell, who also underwent quintuple heart bypass surgery earlier this year and continues to recuperate, said the many displays of gratitude over the years have been gladdening. It’s still most gratifying to do things that make life better for children living on the Harbor, however.

“Bev would’ve enjoyed this today. It was a lot of fun,” Cornell said. “And as long as I have friends and I’m alive, I’ll keep doing it.”

To make donations to the organization, call 360-612-3284.

Joe Cornell poses with second graders at McDermoth Elementary School on Wednesday. The kids are modeling gloves Cornell distributed to them and the other nearly 400 children there. (Terri Harber|The Daily World)