Milestone Celebration Honors 50 Years of Service While Generating Critical Support for Future Growth
HOPE VALLEY, RI (October 28, 2026) – Wood River Health announced that its 50th Anniversary Gala raised over $230,000 to support the organization's health care programs, support services and future growth. The event, held on September 18, 2026 at the historic Dunes Club in Narragansett, celebrated five decades of providing high-quality, compassionate and affordable health care throughout southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut.
More than a fundraising event, the Gala served as a community-wide celebration of Wood River Health's 50-year legacy and the thousands of patients, employees, donors and community partners who have helped shape the organization since its founding in 1976. The record-breaking event welcomed more than 200 guests, including health care leaders, elected officials, business executives, philanthropists and community supporters from across Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut.
The evening began with cocktails and conversation on the lawn at the Dunes Club, overlooking the ocean under beautiful late summer skies. Guests enjoyed music by the Take It to the Bridge Trio and a special visit from Senator Jack Reed, a longtime supporter of Wood River Health. Following a reception featuring passed hors d'oeuvres, guests were welcomed into the Dunes Club for dinner and an evening celebrating Wood River Health's past, present and future.
The speaking program featured remarks from B. Joseph Reddish III, Wood River Health's Board Chair and Alison Croke, President and CEO of Wood River Health. As Legacy Sponsor, Peter Marino, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island was given the opportunity to speak. Together, they reflected on the organization's remarkable journey from a small neighborhood health center created by local residents into a nationally recognized Federally Qualified Health Center serving more than 11,000 patients annually through integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and support services.
During her address, Croke highlighted a year of significant achievement and growth, including Wood River Health earning the Health Resources and Services Administration's Gold Quality Award for the fourth consecutive year, a distinction achieved by only about 145 of the nation's 1,400 community health centers. The recognition reflects Wood River Health's commitment to delivering exceptional care and improving health outcomes throughout the communities it serves. Croke also shared the organization's vision for the future, including investments in facilities, patient experience and expanded access to care as demand for services continues to grow throughout the region.
Guests had the opportunity to watch Wood River Health's 50th Anniversary video, a moving tribute that chronicled the organization's history through the voices of patients, providers, employees, board members and community partners. Several of the individuals featured in the film were in attendance, creating a powerful moment as their stories and reflections unfolded on screen before an audience of supporters, colleagues and friends. The video celebrated the people and partnerships that have shaped Wood River Health over the past five decades while highlighting the organization's continued commitment to the community.
The evening's Raise the Paddle appeal, emceed by Patrick Wyllie, President of Wyllie Media Group, benefited the Hope Valley Waiting Room Expansion Project, an initiative designed to create a larger, more welcoming and patient-centered experience for the thousands of individuals and families who visit Wood River Health each year. Guests responded with extraordinary generosity, contributing over $40,000 in pledges. The appeal was further strengthened by an anonymous donor who provided a dollar-for-dollar matching gift, doubling the impact of the evening's support. Together, the paddle raise generated more than $80,000 toward the project and helped move the renovation campaign significantly closer to completion.
Building on the momentum of the paddle, Wood River Health also announced an exciting new opportunity to complete funding for the Hope Valley Waiting Room Expansion Project. Beginning November 1, gifts to the organization's Annual Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 through a generous commitment from the Kalpesh and Jeanette Shah Community Foundation. The matching challenge will help create a more welcoming, comfortable and accessible environment for the thousands of patients and families who visit Wood River Health each year while giving supporters the opportunity to double the impact of their donations.
The Gala's highly anticipated silent auction raised more than $13,000 and showcased an outstanding collection of experiences donated by local businesses and supporters. Featured items included luxury club seats for the Patriots vs. Raiders game at Gillette Stadium, a private Foxwoods Music Box experience for 20 guests, a full-season membership to Pinecrest Country Club, fine jewelry, artwork, restaurant experiences and entertainment packages. The Foxwoods Music Box package and Patriots club seats generated particularly strong interest, creating spirited competition among bidders and contributing to the event's record-breaking success.
Another popular fundraising activity was the Gala's Wine Surprise, which raised $2,500. For a $50 donation, guests selected a mystery bottle of wine generously donated by Wood River Health board members, Hopkinton Liquor Depot and Wakefield Liquors. Each bottle also included a gift card valued at up to $100, creating an exciting opportunity for participants while supporting Wood River Health's mission. The Wine Surprise sold out during the evening and once again proved to be a guest favorite.
Following dinner and the evening's program, the full Take It to the Bridge band took the stage, and the celebration concluded with lively dancing among friends, supporters and community partners. The evening served as a powerful reminder of the partnerships and generosity that have helped Wood River Health thrive for 50 years.
The event was made possible through the generous support of local businesses, foundations and community partners. Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island served as the Gala's Legacy Sponsor and Professional Planning Group served as the Jubilee Sponsor. Platinum Sponsors included the Rotary Club of Chariho, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and Yale New Haven Health/Westerly Hospital, while East Side Clinical Laboratory served as the Gold Sponsor.
Additional sponsorship support was provided by A/Z Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Chace Ruttenberg & Freedman LLP, CorePlus Credit Union, Genoa Healthcare, Rhode Island Health Center Association, Vision 3 Architects, Washington Trust Company and Westerly Community Credit Union, along with numerous Bronze Sponsors and Friends of Wood River Health. Sponsorships generated more than $107,000 to support Wood River Health's patients and programs.
Throughout the evening, a recurring theme emerged: access to health care changes lives. Speakers emphasized that community health centers play a vital role in ensuring that every person has access to quality care regardless of income, insurance status or circumstance.
"As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we are also looking ahead," said Croke. "The needs of our community continue to evolve, and so must we. The generosity shown at this Gala will help ensure that Wood River Health remains a strong and trusted resource for generations to come."
The 50th Anniversary Honorary Committee included Jane Hayward, Francis X. Hopkins, Michael Lichtenstein, Sheila Litty, Peter Marino, Dr. Lisa Menard-Manlove, Elena Nicolella, Chuck Royce, Nicholas Stahl and Mojie Friel, Dr. Patrick Vivier, Karl Wadensten and Stephen White, whose support helped commemorate this historic milestone.
Wood River Health also recognizes the dedicated members of its Gala Planning Committee: Ruth Morgan, Committee Chair and Board Member; Sarah Channing, Director of Development & Communications; Alison Croke, President & CEO; Dayna Mendolia, Marketing & Events Coordinator; Amy Babcock; Amy Clark; and Dan Fitzgerald. Their months of planning and coordination helped create an unforgettable evening celebrating 50 years of caring for the community.
Wood River Health extends its sincere gratitude to its sponsors, donors, volunteers, staff members, board members and community partners whose generosity made the 50th Anniversary Gala a memorable celebration of the organization's past, present and future.
Special recognition is extended to Broadview Florist & Garden Center for donating elegant blue hydrangea centerpieces that complemented the evening's coastal setting. Wood River Health is also grateful to Foxwoods Resort Casino's Entertainment Department, the Gala's Special Event Partner, for generously providing audiovisual production and technical support.
The organization further thanks Karl Wadensten, President and CEO of VIBCO and a member of the Gala's Honorary Committee, for helping make it possible to host this milestone celebration at the historic Dunes Club.
Wood River Health's 50th Anniversary video is available on YouTube.
View photos of the event at Wood River Health's Facebook page.
