HOPE VALLEY, RI (November 12, 2025) - Wood River Health reports that its 5th Annual Harvest for Health Gala raised over $125,000 for the Federally Qualified Health Center. Event proceeds support health care programs and support services that improve patients’ quality of life.
Wood River Health hosted its 5th Annual Harvest for Health Gala on September 25, 2025 to celebrate its 49th anniversary. The gala was held at Shepherd’s Run Vineyard in South Kingstown, RI and live music was performed by the Take it to the Bridge Trio.
Presenters included B. Joseph Reddish III, Wood River Health’s Board Chair; Alison Croke, President and CEO of Wood River Health; and Peter Marino, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Each spoke about the valuable impact Wood River Health is making on the lives of its patients.
During the speaking program, Alison Croke announced that for the third year in a row, Wood River Health was awarded the Gold Quality Award from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Only 136 of the 1,400 health centers in the country receive this level of recognition. She also shared that Wood River Health’s patient visit volume continues to rise. To meet demand, the health center recently increased its footprint in Westerly and will continue to expand with the construction of the Tower Street Community Center.
The gala was supported through generous sponsorships made by local businesses and community partners. Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island served as the Presenting Sponsor. Professional Planning Group served at the Over the Harvest Moon level. The event's Cornucopia Sponsors included East Side Clinical Labs and Yale New Haven Health/Westerly Hospital. Earth’s Bounty sponsors included Genoa Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare and Vision 3 Architects. Sponsorship funding amounted to $54,500 for the event.
A heartfelt testimony was given by Jen B., a patient of Wood River Health. In a prerecorded video, she discussed how Wood River Health has made an indelible impact on generations of her family. She shared how the health center’s primary care, behavioral health and community resources teams and its Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program have dramatically improved her and her son’s quality of life. Her story highlights the integrated care and wrap around support Wood River Health provides to its patients. The video testimonial was developed by PMC Media Group and can be viewed at WoodRiverHealth.org.
Guests were encouraged to “Raise the Paddle” to support Wood River Health’s program and services. The paddle was emceed by Wood River Health patient Patrick Wyllie, President of 321 Media. Paddle donations support the costs of Wood River Health’s transportation program, adult and pediatric medical equipment, books for its Reach Out and Read program, and its WIC Program. Donors also had the opportunity to raise their paddles for the Kim Hebert Community Fund, which supports patients whose needs transcend health care services. The 2025 Paddle raised a record breaking $23,000 in pledges. This amount was generously matched by an anonymous donor.
Guests were encouraged to participate in a Wine Surprise. Participants received a bottle of wine and a gift card up to $100 in exchange for a $50 donation. Gift cards were donated by local businesses and wine was donated by Wakefield Liquors, Wyoming Package and members of Wood River Health’s board. The Wine Surprise raised $2,500.
Wood River Health’s annual silent auction raised over $10,000. Featured items included club seats to the New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns game, golf for a year at Pinecrest Golf Club, high end camping gear from The Preserve Sporting Club, and Jazz Brunch at the Ocean House. Other popular listings included tickets to performances at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun, one of a kind works of art, unique jewelry, and gift cards to local restaurants.
The event program and signage were designed by LDM Designs. Westerly Agway donated 17 mums to decorate the tables, which added to the event’s harvest theme. The food was catered by Blackstone Caterers and guests enjoyed wine from Shepherd’s Run vineyard.
Photos of Harvest for Health’s attendees were taken by Yamuna Smith Photography and can be viewed on Wood River Health's Facebook page. A list of event sponsors and donors is posted at WoodRiverHealth.org.
Wood River Health’s 50th Anniversary Gala will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026 at The Dunes Club in Narragansett, RI. Take it to the Bridge has been secured for the event.
About Wood River Health
Since 1976, Wood River Health has delivered medical, dental and social services to the communities of southwestern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Its mission is to provide its patients with high-quality and affordable health care services through a compassionate, team-based approach. Its vision is for every member of its community to experience physical, emotional and social well-being.
A private, non-profit Community Health Center, Wood River Health is devoted to providing quality patient care to over 10,000 patients. It is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Wood River Health receives funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas. For more information, visit WoodRiverHealth.org.
###
