Brad Cornell is all about helping others, and he gives an emphasized meaning to the common phrase “Service with a smile.”
In fact, as the executive director and CEO of Hope for Heroes Texas, headquartered in Boerne, Cornell’s motto is “Serving those who serve us.”
Accompanying that is his mission, which is stated on his organization’s website: “To enable a sense of personal accomplishment, empowerment and unity for our nation’s disabled heroes through exciting, fun activities and overall appreciation of the great outdoors.”
To recognize his efforts and for all he has done for first responders and their families in the region, Cornell on Saturday was named The Boerne Star’s 2021 Citizen of the Year.
“We’re thrilled to recognize Brad with this honor,” Star General Manager Keith E. Domke said. “He is well-deserving of the recognition and the accolades associated with it. He selfishlessly has helped so many first responders in the past year with big plans for it to continue. He, himself, is a true hero.”
The Star decided to name a citizen a year so someone in its coverage area annually would be recognized for the work he or she does to help others.
On Saturday at The Bevy Hotel, before Cornell and an audience of more than 100 people recognized the latest trio of Hope for Heroes first responders, Domke presented the award.
He started by quoting the Hope for Heroes Texas website.
“At Hope for Heroes Texas, first responders are our passion. We are committed to those in our communities who selflessly dedicate their lives to protecting ours,” Domke read. “They serve day and night in the most challenging circumstances – facing danger, injury, sickness and even death – to ensure our safety and health. And now, it’s our turn to give back to those who selflessly give their all.”
“Well, we’re here this morning to give a little something back to someone who has given his all to recognize others who are so deserving,” Domke then said. “When I first came to Boerne, I noticed no award was given to anyone by anyone for a citizen of the year. There were lots of other cool awards, but none specifically with that title. There are so many deserving people who do so many worthy things in our community.
“So, The Star decided to change that.”
Domke was standing next to Cornell among the Hope for Heroes Texas crowd in The Bevy lobby when he made the announcement.
“This morning, on behalf of all of us at The Boerne Star, I’d like to present our 2021 Citizen of the Year award to Brad Cornell of Hope for Heroes Texas.”
The throng of individuals in The Bevy lobby erupted in applause as Domke handed Cornell his award plaque.
“These guys are the citizens of the year,” Cornell said after Domke gave him the plaque, gesturing to the large audience gathered. “I’m just the guy trying to lead the pack in getting it done, but thank you so much. I’m honored, and God bless you. Thank you so much. ...
“Again, thank you guys so much – our board of directors and everyone who participates. Wow, what an honor and a blessing. Thank you so much. I appreciate you so much.”
The Star solicited nominations from the public with the criteria being it can be any person who has made a positive impact that has benefitted others in The Star’s coverage area, which covers Kendall County and Fair Oaks Ranch. The nominated individual must live or work in the paper’s coverage area.
“We were looking for that truly special person,” Domke said. “So many great people do so many great things around here, and we wanted to recognize the best of the best.”
From the nominations submitted, The Star’s staff narrowed its list to three finalists – Cornell, Aid the Silent founder and CEO Emma Faye Rudkin and Day 1 Bags founder and CEO Hunter Beacon. A hearty discussion followed, and Cornell was selected.
“Brad has a heart for the Lord and saw an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus by making first responders feel appreciated and know they are loved for what they do each day in their communities,” Cornell’s nomination read. “Brad deserves citizen of the year for all the Boerne people impacted by his ministry through Hope for Heroes Boerne.”
Hope for Heroes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing prayer, support and weekend retreats for first responders who are in need of it most, information on its website stated. Cornell brings first responders to Boerne to stay at the Bevy Hotel, sends local first responders for a getaway to Fredericksburg’s Inn on Barons Creek, hosts monthly first responder lunches and more.
“Know a first responder who could use a little rest, relaxation or appreciation? Contact us to learn more!” the website states.
Cornell started Hope for Heroes in 2020 when cities started defunding police departments, his nomination reads.
“The nonprofit’s purpose is to bring first responders (police, firefighters and first responders) to Boerne and let them know we appreciate, respect and love our first responder community.”
Information states Hope for Heroes started with the Austin police association and has since expanded to San Antonio and other police associations. The first responder and family are invited to come on a Saturday morning to The Bevy Hotel in Boerne. When the first responder and family walk into the lobby of the hotel, dozens of people clap, shout and welcome the family. That happened three times on Saturday.
“Almost always, tears of gratitude and surprise begin to flow down the cheeks of the first responder family,” Cornell’s nomination reads, adding the family is then given a gift card to pay for their hotel room, food and some shopping in Boerne. The family is encouraged to relax, renew and rejuvenate while in Boerne.
“All this is done to let the first responder community know they are loved! It has been a life-changing event for the first responder, the family and the greeters. A prayer is always said over the first responder and family to let them know we are there because we love Jesus, and we want to show love to the first responder and family.”
Receptions at the Bevy were held as early as last March and continued throughout the year.
“The Boerne community has responded very positively to these life-changing events,” the nomination read.
A story published by The Star in July stated about 300 people showed up at the Bevy on the last Saturday of June “to back the blue at the Hope for Heroes Blue Line Gala, where about $100,000 was raised in raffle tickets, an auction and ticket purchases.”
“Hosts of local and regional first responders and their families filled the ballroom with a buzz of chatter before the event’s guest speakers made their way to the stage to speak in support of law enforcement,” the story read. “Notable figures both near and far were invited to speak, including Texas Sen. Donna Camp bell, Kendall County Sheriff Al Auxier, Boerne Police Chief Jim Kohler, Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday and the keynote speaker Ken Harrison, chairman and chief executive owner of Promise Keepers.”
The Star reported the event was a huge success and raised enough money to bring in another 70-plus first responder families to Boerne – the first responders city of hope, according to Cornell.
The money raised from the gala will continue to help the Hope for Heroes organization bring more first responders from Austin, San Antonio and other regional areas to Boerne for a weekend stay at The Bevy Hotel and provide them with funds to eat and entertain themselves around the city.
“Brad embodies the concepts of ‘giving to others’ and ‘total respect for authority in first responders,’” Cornell’s nomination read. “His actions impact many in the community each week. Boerne is a ‘giving’ and ‘generous’ community many times over. Brad harnesses that attitude and funnels it to the first responders, retail shop owners, restaurants, chamber of commerce members and residents, among others.
“When I think of a ‘person of the year,’ I think of someone who has impacted many lives in a positive way. Brad’s love for Jesus is evident in every event as he openly proclaims Jesus and gives Jesus the credit for all that is being done for first responders. Brad’s actions truly impact many Boerne citizens.”
The Star awarded Cornell a plaque honoring him as the citizen of the year.
Background
Hope for Heroes was founded by Mitch Serlin in 2010. A retired K-9 police officer and U.S. Army 101st Airborne scout sniper, Serlin struggled for many years with PTSD.
Over time, he learned he was not alone. Many of his fellow officers and friends suffered from the disorder as well, or had been injured physically during their service ... and felt that their lives were cut short as a result.
Information states Serlin and those he knew who were facing PTSD and other disorders and injuries feared they never would be able to return to doing the things they loved.
So, Serlin formed Hope for Heroes to help change that mindset by creating experiences that are physically and emotionally possible – and therapeutic – for all heroes.
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