Masterfoods USA
Donates Oxygen Tanks to Sheriff’s Office
for use in the Warren County Courthouse

HACKETTSTOWN [OCT. 8, 2002]
Visitors to the Warren County Courthouse can breathe a little easier now that the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has obtained important safety equipment donated by a good corporate citizen.

Masterfoods USA, maker of M&M’s Chocolate Candies, donated two oxygen tanks and regulators that will be kept at the Warren County Courthouse in Belvidere in case of medical emergencies, Sheriff Sal Simonetti said.

Simonetti said that since he became sheriff on Jan. 1, 2002, there have been two incidents in the Courthouse where oxygen tanks could have been used to aid a person who was having trouble breathing. Although Belvidere police and rescue squad officials respond promptly to emergencies at the Courthouse, Simonetti noted that every second is precious during a medical crisis and having oxygen tanks handy could help to save lives.

These episodes prompted him to seek a contribution from Masterfoods USA to obtain the equipment.

"They were very cooperative and eager to honor my request," Simonetti said of Masterfoods USA. The sheriff is a former Masterfoods USA employee, having retired in 1992 after working there 32 years as a Customer Service Representative.

The world-famous food company is headquartered in Hackettstown, and is one of Warren County’s largest employers. The Masterfoods USA Hackettstown Plant produces about one-half of the M&M’s Chocolate Candies sold in North America in Hackettstown.

Simonetti said Masterfoods USA offered to purchase the oxygen tanks, which cost more than $500, when he presented his request for funding.

One tank will be kept on the upper level of the Courthouse, where the courtrooms are located, and the other will be on the first floor. Sheriff’s officers have received first aid training and will be able to use the equipment in an emergency, Simonetti said, while several other Courthouse employees also are trained to respond to medical emergencies.

"The Warren County Sheriff’s office provides valuable services to the businesses and families in our area. This new equipment will help them service our community in times of emergency and we are proud to support them," said Monte S. Brooks, Site Director of the Masterfoods USA, Hackettstown Plant.

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