As published in the Belleville News-Democrat.

The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is recruiting volunteers to be on standby for two-week service deployments to Louisiana during this year's hurricane season.

The deployments are possible until Oct. 21.

New volunteer recruits will be deployed in parties of four in advance of a weather-related emergency to help Red Cross chapters in the state run shelters should evacuations be ordered by authorities.

Volunteer nurses are in highest demand.

Eligible volunteers must commit to serve a minimum of two weeks, complete Red Cross disaster relief services training, be willing to work and reside in a disaster-relief environment, consent and pass a background check and be able to lift 50 pounds.

For more information or to apply, call 314.516.2773 or visit www.redcrossstl.org.