Now centralized in offices in Smithfield, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island celebrated its 25th anniversary Tuesday with a parking lot gathering and two giant sized checks to benefit organizations based in Cranston and Warwick that work for the homeless.

About 500 employees, dressed in Neighborhood green, came together in the parking lot to form a giant number 25 against the backdrop of music from 1994 – the year it began serving its members.

The outdoor spectacle also featured a flash mob dance to “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang and check presentations to two Rhode Island charities. Both the dance and the presentation had strong roots from within the health plan that started off with fewer than 2,000 members and now has more than ten times that.

“What I love most about our 25th Anniversary Rally is that it was an opportunity to literally bring together our incredible staff and support them in giving back to the community,” said Peter Marino, president and CEO of Neighborhood.

The rally was timed to take place during Employee Appreciation Week at the organization, and employees played a major role in the Neighborhood’s 25th Anniversary Charitable Giving Program. Through a democratic process, they selected Help the Homeless RI (based in Cranston) and House of Hope (based in Warwick) to receive $2,500 each.

“I was floored when I learned House of Hope was chosen by the employees of Neighborhood to be a recipient of their 25th Anniversary Charitable Giving Program,” said Laura Jaworski, executive director of House of Hope Community Development Corporation. “It truly is an honor to be recognized by those working within Neighborhood, who often see firsthand the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, and recognize our efforts to solve this critical issue. This charitable donation will have a meaningful impact as we support and restore dignity to those experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island.”

Andrea Smith, executive director of Help the Homeless RI said, “We are so grateful to Neighborhood for recognizing the importance of what we do to reduce homelessness in the state. Our goal is to connect Rhode Island’s homeless to services so they can move off the streets and into their own place. Until that day, Help the Homeless RI provides basic human needs such as winter essentials, sleeping bags, and tents, and our volunteers provide 400 meals in three communities, every Sunday.”

Help the Homeless RI, with a budget of $38,000 that is largely raised through social media, is entirely run by volunteers. Sunday meals are cooked in homes and brought to outdoor distribution locations in West Warwick, Pawtucket and Woonsocket throughout the year.

(Beacon Communications text and photos)