SUNBURY - Four local chapters of the American Red Cross will consolidate into one to control costs and improve community services, directors announced Monday.
On July 1, the Red Cross branches in Sunbury and Snyder, Union and Upper Northumberland counties will begin the consolidation process, according to Thomas Szulanczyk, executive director for Upper Northumberland County, who will serve as chapter executive of the new organization. The new chapter will be known as the SUN Chapter.
Szulanczyk said the Schuylkill and East Northumberland Chapter of the American Red Cross, which covers Schuylkill County and the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area, will not be affected by the consolidation. Szulanczyk said the transition will not interrupt Red Cross programs and services.
The decision to consolidate the chapters was made at a meeting Friday in Lewisburg by the executive directors and chapter board representatives.
It is unknown at this time how much money will be saved by the consolidation.
The plan includes moving the management and administration of Red Cross services to the Union County offices at 249 Farley Circle in Lewisburg as soon as the Sunbury, Milton and Middleburg offices can be sold.
The budgets for the four chapters is approximately $700,000.