PURCELL, Okla. - Tribal leaders, senior citizens and employees gathered Wednesday in Purcell for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the newest Chickasaw Nation senior citizen site.

The Chickasaw Nation Purcell Senior Citizen Nutrition site, located a short distance from the tribal area office, is the latest addition to serve senior citizens. With senior citizen sites in nine areas - Achille, Ada, Connerville, Kullihoma, Madill, Purcell, Sulphur and Tishomingo - the Division on Aging is one of the fastest growing tribal programs.

"We have one of the best, if not the finest, senior citizen programs in the country," Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. "This site will enable the Chickasaw Nation to continue to lift up and enhance the lives of our elders."

Amenities for the 6,000-square-foot Purcell site include a separate dining area, kitchen, storage area, offices and a covered drive. The site will also have an exercise area, game area and a section devoted to arts and crafts.

Site builder, Mac Hill Construction, has slated completion of the site by the end of the year.

Tribal aging and senior services programs include arts and crafts, fund raisers, wellness education, community health, home maintenance and a chore service. This is also a program to inform seniors of their rights and services available to them.

In addition, the tribe recently purchased four food delivery trucks to be used to deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors.

"We expect to serve between 50 and 60 people a day," Nina Crossley, Purcell site manager, said. "We are very excited about the site."

"We served over 92,000 meals last year," Karen Cook, Chickasaw Nation Division on Aging administrator, said. "Our program continues to see a great deal of growth and prosperity."

"We respect our elders and believe their lives should always be treated with dignity," Gov. Anoatubby said. "We are committed to our elders and to our mission to enhance the quality of life of our people."

The tribe is establishing sites in Pauls Valley and Duncan. Discussion meetings are conducted in Pauls Valley the third Tuesday of every month and in Duncan the third Wednesday of every month. New participants are welcome.

For information about the Chickasaw Nation Purcell Senior Citizens site, call Mrs. Crossley at (405) 527-6667.

For information on the Chickasaw Nation Division on Aging, call Karen Cook at (580) 795-9790.