The Freeborn County and Mower County chapters of the American Red Cross will soon be consolidated under the same director, according to a spokesman Friday from the Southeast Minnesota Region office of the Red Cross.

As part of the consolidation, Freeborn County chapter Director Jeanie Opdahl’s position has been eliminated effective Sept. 2, and both chapter offices will be managed under the direction of Mower County Director Elaine Hansen.

Andy Tlougan, director of operations for the Southeast Minnesota Region of the Red Cross, said both offices, however, will remain open and the organization plans to continue its services in both communities.

Health and Safety Coordinator Chris Avery will remain full time at the Freeborn County office on Fountain Street.

“The Freeborn County chapter will still be there,” Tlougan said. “The volunteers will still be there, and the services will all still be there.

“Our hope is that the community, other than the fact that our friend Jeanie will be leaving, we hope that as far as the Red Cross is concerned, we won’t be having any changes.”

Opdahl has worked as director for almost eight years but has served as a volunteer for more than 30 years.

“Jeanie has been fantastic,” Tlougan said. “ She has been with the Red Cross a long time, as a volunteer and as an employee, and we hope that down the road she’ll still be involved in the Red Cross because it is in her blood.”

He said the changes are taking place as part of a restructuring under the national organization. The region was directed to reduce its expenses.

“In the times that we’re in right now and with a little less donations coming in across the country, our organization rolled out a new business plan and structure,” he said. “We’re trying to be more efficient with the donor dollar.”

He emphasized that the Red Cross and its volunteers will continue to support Freeborn County.

Opdahl said she hopes community members will continue to be strong supporters of the Red Cross and noted she’s enjoyed all of the people she has worked with throughout the years.

She said one of the highlights of her tenure was purchasing and remodeling the organization’s current building on Fountain Street.

She also recalled times of disaster that the Red Cross responded to, including the Farmland Foods fire, the tornado in Glenville, two floods and the June 17, 2010, tornadoes, to name a few. Not to mention the help they’ve provided outside of Freeborn County.

It is this disaster response that she has enjoyed the most, she said, because she’s been able to help people in their time of need.

She noted she plans to contribute as a disaster volunteer.

“I strongly believe in the mission of the Red Cross, and I think it’s probably one of the best organizations there is,” she said.

A farewell open house is planned in Opdahl’s honor from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at 1608 W. Fountain St., Albert Lea.