of his wife, Patti. A long talk with his accountant
convinced Coreson to form what became Creating
Memories and to apply for nonprofit status in
order to continue with his dream. The accountant
warned Coreson that the process was not easy and
to expect to apply more than once.
“The paperwork came back approved and our
accountant said that almost never happens.
We never hit a snag and that shows how God is
guiding this whole thing,” Coreson said.
Creating Memories is now spreading all over
the state of Oregon and even into the state
of Washington.
“We have about 2,000 acres on the John Day
River with three cabins and over a mile of river
frontage, and we have a pretty big operation out
of Richland (Ore.) by the Snake and Powder
rivers. We rent a cabin set up for disabled people.
We’ve taken out at least 100 people fishing there,”
Coreson said.
Creating Memories also has access to another
240 acres along the McKenzie River near Eugene,
2,400 acres near Flora and is setting up operations
in La Pine and Wenatchee, Wash.
Coreson said the Wallowa Valley community and
businesses are very supportive of his efforts and
that local ranchers are particularly important to the
nonprofit as they provide some beef for events and
a number of Landowner Preference Tags for
participants to enjoy the thrill of the hunt. This
year three hunters confined to wheelchairs have
bagged their quarry.
While Coreson appreciates the community
sentiment toward Creating Memories, he doesn’t
feel deserving of the award. “In the type of work
we do, no one person can stand up and take an
award. It took me by surprise completely. I didn’t
get suspicious until my son showed up,” he said.
Coreson received a standing ovation after his
acceptance speech, but he joked it was probably
out of relief because it meant the program was
over and everyone could go home.
“The kids deserve (the award). They’re the ones
who are fighting. A lot of them don’t know
anything but pain and hospitals. I have a lot of lit-
tle kids who tell me they hope they don’t have to
experience another surgery,” Coreson said.
Parents also get sympathy from Coreson.
“If you have a disabled child in your home, it
can be hell,” he said. “One more doctor’s appoint-
ment, one more hospital visit and one more med-
ical bill. That’s why we don’t charge anything; it’s
one less worry for them,” Coreson said.
Though Coreson has helped hundreds of children
and adults, and the recent renovation of Karen’s
Cabin at the scout camp is allowing Creating
Memories to host guests, he isn’t resting on his
laurels. He currently is working on getting a
handicap-accessible path around Marr Pond.
“We don’t have a single place where the disabled
can fish, and I’m working with Fish and Wildlife
on that,” Coreson said.
Coreson has no regrets about starting Creating
Memories. “My goal since we’ve moved down
here is for Wallowa County to become known as
the home of Creating Memories. It may not cure
anything, but it helps. I’ve had the most wonderful
life any man could ever live. I’ve had a lot of
enjoyment in life, and I wouldn’t change a thing,”
he said.
Steve Tool/Chieftain
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting ... The restored raven now
keeps a silent vigil over the Creating Memories camp and the Driftwood Inn.
Steve Tool/Chieftain
Creating Memories clients Enoch Stalcup and Emily Benson enjoy a pleasant day
fishing on Wallowa Lake in August of this year.
WALLOWA COUNTY GIVING 2015 Page 19