PAULS VALLEY, Okla. - Tribal leaders, senior citizens and employees gathered Thursday morning, July 17, in Pauls Valley to celebrate the groundbreaking of the newest Chickasaw Nation Senior Citizen Nutrition Site.
The Pauls Valley Senior Citizen Nutrition site, located on Indian Meridian Road, is the latest addition in programs and services dedicated to serving Native American senior citizens. With sites in 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 meet its commitment to enhance the lives of those we serve, especially our elders."
Amenities for the 4,988 -square-foot Pauls Valley 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.
The sight is slated for completion 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 has also purchased four food delivery trucks to be used to deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors.
"We expect to serve between 50 and 75 people a day," Karen Cook, Chickasaw Nation Division on Aging administrator, said. "We are very excited about the site."
"We served over 92,000 meals last year," Mrs. Cook, , said. "Our program continues to see a great deal of growth and prosperity."
The tribe is also establishing a senior citizen site in Duncan.
Until the new site in Pauls Valley is completed, 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 Pauls Valley Senior Citizens Nutrition site, call the Chickasaw Nation Division on Aging at (580) 795-9790.
