Creating Memories for Disabled Children Keeps to its Namesake
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, July 25th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
JOSEPH, OR – Disability shouldn’t prevent someone, least of a child, from being able to explore the world and appreciate the natural beauty of the environment. Thankfully, Creating Memories for Disabled Children, as the name suggests, is doing what they can to ensure Oregon’s youth are able to have unique experiences and memorable outdoor adventures.
Gaining non-profit status in 2012, Creating Memories was founded by Ken and Patti Coreson. Inspired by the sight of a wounded raven being helped to a sheltered driftwood pile by its fellows, the organization was founded “to create memories for special needs children and their families” and to “life spirits and change lives,” as stated on their official about page.
Part of this memory making mission is their use Camp Wallowa in Joseph. The former scout camp, leased to Creating Memories in 2014, continues to be refurbished with disability accessible cabins and features a whole host of trails and landmarks for families to explore. In addition, Creating Memories provides fishing excursions on Wallowa Lake with a wheelchair accessible pontoon boat along with other activities such as wellness group tours. The camp itself has its own storied history dating bake to the late 1930s with it being partially closed after a massive 2002 landslide.
Alongside providing a link to nature via the camp, Creating Memories participates in various fundraisers, including the upcoming 4th annual “Swinging for dreams” golf tournament in Bend. The tournament features both fore person scramble and two divisions, concluding with a raffle drawing. “Swinging for Dreams” will be held August 20th, 9:30 a.m. at the Widgi Creek Gold Club. All proceeds will go toward Creating Memories. For more information, visit Creating Memories for Disabled Children. Tournament registration available at (birdease.com).
