News Center

WALL, N.J. – New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), set a new corporate fund-raising record in Monmouth County for the American Heart Association (AHA) as a sponsor of the 13th annual Heart Walk in Belmar on September 26, 2004. At a post-walk celebration last night, AHA announced NJNG raised more than $117,000 for the Monmouth-Ocean Shoreline Heart Walk, which supports research and education to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

“Our team is second to none in joining together to achieve a common mission, demonstrated once again by the record levels of donations raised for this critical cause,” said NJNG Chairman and CEO Laurence M. Downes, Monmouth County Chairman of the 2004 Heart Walk. “Most importantly, our efforts will help those affected by heart disease. As a reliable partner in our communities, we’re proud to support organizations that promote wellness to help us all live healthier, fuller lives.”

NJNG’s team of more than 600 walkers included employees, customers, shareowners, members of the community and the participation of the Local 1820 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Employees of NJNG and other members of the NJR family of companies also organized various fund-raising activities during the months leading up to the Heart Walk.

“Although there have been tremendous advances in the treatment of heart disease, it remains the leading killer of women and men in our nation,” said Rita Crowley, Heart Walk regional director for Monmouth and Ocean counties. “NJNG can be truly proud of their leadership role in helping to fund efforts to change this devastating statistic,” Ms. Crowley said.

In total, the 2004 Monmouth-Ocean Shoreline Heart Walk raised more than $406,000, a 19 percent increase over Heart Walks held in Monmouth and Ocean counties last fall. Since 1948, the AHA has invested more than $2 billion in cardiovascular research – second only to the federal government – helping to usher in “heart milestones,” including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, microsurgery, heart valve replacement, coronary bypass surgery, the pacemaker and drug treatments for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) is the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a Fortune 1000 company and a member of the Forbes Platinum 400. NJNG is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 450,000 customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Morris counties. This service area’s demographics and quality of life contribute greatly to NJNG’s growth. NJNG’s progress is a tribute to the dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make the company a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJNG’s Web site at njliving.com.