Purcell Senior Site Ribbon Cutting
PURCELL, Okla. - Officials of the Chickasaw Nation celebrated the grand opening of the tribe's newest senior citizen nutrition site on May 6, in Purcell.
The Purcell site, located at 703 Sherri Classic Blvd., is the ninth Chickasaw Nation senior site to open.
"We, as Chickasaw Nation citizens, truly respect our elders," Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. "The newest senior site is part of our continuing efforts to improve the overall quality of life of our elders," he added.
The 6,000-square-foot structure offers patrons many amenities and includes a kitchen, sitting area, dining room, computer area, exercise area, game area, and arts and crafts area.
Purcell Senior Site manager Nina Crossley said the center is not only a benefit to seniors, but also to the city of Purcell. "This is a place Purcell can be proud of," she said.
The site is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lunch is served weekdays at 11:30 a.m. Crossley hopes the new center will serve around 50 people a day.
In addition to meals, the tribal aging and senior services program offers arts and crafts, fundraisers, trips and education on various programs available to seniors. The site will also provide meals to eligible homebound seniors in the Purcell area.
"One of the most important benefits of the site is having a place for seniors to go, to meet and to visit," Division of Aging administrator Karen Cook said.
The Chickasaw Nation Division of Aging has senior sites in Achille, Ada, Ardmore, Connerville, Kullihoma, Madill, Purcell, Sulphur and Tishomingo. A senior citizen site in Pauls Valley is under construction and is slated to open later this year.
"You've lead the way for us," Gov. Anoatubby told the elders at the grand opening celebration. "You're continually in our hearts and we're going to do what we can to help support and lift up our elders," he added.
During the grand opening celebration, Division of Aging administrator Karen Cook, Purcell Senior Site manager Nina Crossley, and Purcell area senior Ruby Adkins presented an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capital Building to Gov. Anoatubby. The Chickasaw Nation received the flag thanks to Fourth District Oklahoma Representative Tom Cole. Gov. Anoatubby returned the flag and asked that it fly over the Purcell Senior Nutrition Site. Gov. Anoatubby dedicated the flag to all Chickasaw Nation citizens serving in the armed forces.
For more information about the Purcell Senior Site and eligibility requirements, call (405) 527-8855.
For information about the Chickasaw Nation Division of Aging, call (580) 795-9790.
