Seth Magaziner

PROVIDENCE – Congressional candidates don't often get into an exchange of words about charitable donations.

But U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner and Republican challenger Victor Mellor got into it after Mellor – a Woonsocket native who has set his sights on a Rhode Island congressional seat after 30 years in Florida – reported that he had donated $15,000 of the receipts from his recent GOP rally with retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn to charity.

Along the way, Mellor, an ex-Marine, disclosed donations totaling $40,000 to help a "military retreat" in Foster buy another 5 acres to expand.

It began this way:

Mellor announced that he had donated 100% of the proceeds from his "sold-out Rhode Island First Rally" on March 7 to local charities.

He said $5,000 went to the Coventry High School Navy JROTC to help pay for "its cadets’ trip to participate in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington.

"The cadets have been invited to represent their community and the nation by marching in the prestigious parade – an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor America’s heroes while showcasing their leadership, discipline, and patriotism."

According to Mellor, he gave another:

$2,000 to the Joy Fellowship Church's food pantry known as Pantry on the Lane, in Westerly

$5,000 to the Dare to Dream Ranch in Foster, which he describes as "a nonprofit retreat that provides free holistic programs'' to veterans, active-duty service members and their families recovering from "PTSD, anxiety, and other challenges"

$2,000 "was presented" to Coach Belorve Diaz "through the Washington Park League," for a Little League baseball program for disadvantaged youth in Providence

$1,000 to Hearts With Hope in Woonsocket, which describes itself as "a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping Woonsocket High Alumni in times of need"

The response from Magaziner campaign spokesperson Jess Vaughn: "We suggest in the future that Mellor also consider supporting the R.I. Coalition Against Domestic Violence given his own history of domestic violence in multiple states, and to the Capitol Police Memorial Fund for fallen heroes in light of his participation in the violent January 6 riot."

This was Mellor's response to the Magaziner campaign's comments:

"While political opponents and media attempt to recycle old accusations, Vic Mellor remains focused on serving his community and supporting those who need it most. Just yesterday, Mr. Mellor donated five acres of land and $5,000 to Dare to Dream Ranch, an organization dedicated to helping vulnerable individuals rebuild their lives.

"Perhaps Mr. Magaziner should consider donating to Epstein victims and to the women and children who have been victims of sex trafficking by cartels under the Biden and Democrat backed open border policies," he said.

Asked to elaborate on what he gave the Dare to Dream Ranch, he said he gave the organization a total of $40,000, including $5,000 from ticket sales to his rally – and a personal donation – to buy land in Foster and "we're going for [a] permit to build a fishing pond."

"I will support them through [the] entire process ... will be having fundraisers with my 'friends' helping," he texted from an airport en route to Washington.

When Magaziner's campaign spokesperson was asked if he, too, had also donated to charities and nonprofits with campaign money, Vaughn cited a few, including his $100 donations to the London/Riley Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Rhode Island Latino Dollars for Scholars.

His 2025-26 campaign spending reports list other recipients, including Clean Water Action, Cops for Kids with Cancer, the Dorcas International Fund and the Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island, among others.

"He and his wife Julia have also made personal contributions to local causes over the past year including Crossroads RI, Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, and the Maddie Potts Foundation, among others," Vaughn said.