The helium atom in helium-neon laser works as

Concept:

Helium-Neon Laser:

• It laser in which a mixture of helium and neon gas is used as a gain medium. 
• It emits a wavelength of 632.8 nm.
• It consists of a mixture of ~90% Helium gas, ~10% Neon gas.
• The gases are enclosed in a glass tube.
• An electrical discharge is established along the bore of the tube
• Two mirrors are bonded to the ends of the discharge tube, one a total reflector, the other having ~1 % transmission.

Explanation:

The function of He in helium-neon laser:

• He-atoms get excited by an electrical glow discharge.
• Excited He-atoms transfer their energy to neon atoms during the collisions.
• Helium gas in the He-Ne laser is to increase the efficiency of the lasing process.
• If Ne-gas excited directly, it will be inefficient, but the direct excitation of He gas atoms is very efficient.

Hence, from the above discussion, we can conclude that He-atom acts as an energy supplier.