MELE Gives Back
MELE is deeply committed to building stronger communities through charitable giving and volunteerism. Whether it’s fighting cancer, bringing holiday cheer to local children in need, or assisting veterans, MELE is always looking for ways to give back time and resources to people and organizations that make a difference in people’s lives.
MELE Charitable Giving/Volunteer Partnerships
Click the Logos Below to Learn About MELE’s Work with These Organizations.
Washington Commanders
MELE partners with the Washington Commanders across several programs:
Luke's Wings
MELE supports Luke’s Wings a charitable organization that provides emergency travel planning services and airplane tickets for the families of loved ones of wounded, ill, and injured service members.
Capital Food Bank
During the recent spate of government shutdowns, MELE donated $10,000 to the Capital Food Bank to support local federal workers in need.
Wounded Warrior Project
Last year MELE sponsored the Wounded Warrior Project’s Day on the Bay, an event that provides veterans and their families an all expenses paid, stress-free cruise on the Chesapeake Bay.
Pelotonia
MELE’s annual DEFY Golf Tournament supports Pelotonia, a non-profit that raises funds to support cancer research. MELE’s golf tournament has raised approximately $170,000 for Pelotonia.
Nourish Now
Each year MELE conducts a food drive in partnership with Nourish Now. Nourish Now recovers surplus food from dedicated food donor partners. Food is then directly donated to children, families, seniors and veterans in the need primarily in Montgomery County, MD along with the DC metro area.
The Patrick Shifflett Foundation
MELE is an annual sponsor of and participant in the Patrick Shifflett Golf Tournament. The Patrick Shifflett Foundation was created in honor of Patrick Shifflet, a Clarksburg High School student- athlete that was tragically killed, along with 2 of his friends, in a car accident in 2016. The Foundation runs a charity baseball and cornhole tournament in addition to its golf event, which supports an annual scholarship fund for local students.
Montgomery County Maryland Child Welfare Services
Each holiday season MELE collects and wraps gifts from the wish lists of local children. This year MELE delivered and a carload of gifts to MOCO Child Welfare Services, keeping a tradition started by former MELE Director of Contracts Barbara F.
K.I.C. Kares
Founded by the granddaughter of MELE VP Ron C., K.I.C. Kares is a 501(c)(3) charity with a simple mission: to spread KINDNESS. The charity’s primary focus is to purchase, fill, and deliver care packages to families who have children in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) around the country! MELE staff have volunteered to stuff care packages and remains a strong support of founder Kylee’s wonderful organization.
Navy Seabee Foundation
Mel and Pallas Chiogioji established a Seabee Foundation scholarship in 2012. The endowed, annual scholarship provides 2-year, 4-year, and career and technical scholarships for Seabee children and grandchildren.
MELE’s 4th Annual DEFY Charity Golf Tournament
August 16, 2027
For the last three years, MELE has hosted its annual DEFY Charity Golf Tournament at the Links at Challedon in Mt. Airy, Maryland. The tournament was created to honor the legacy of Wendy Chioji, who passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Wendy was CEO Mel Chiogioji’s daughter and President Al Chiogioji’s sister.
The event embodies the mantra by Wendy lived her life: DEFY. Wendy exemplified what it means to live fearlessly and to defy the odds.
The DEFY tournament raised $314,000 in the three years. 100% of the event’s proceeds go to Pelotonia and the groundbreaking cancer research by Dr. Roychowdhury. Combined with Wendy’s legacy gift, these funds have advanced a first-ever nationwide, decentralized clinical trial, which allows patients across the country to participate from their own hometowns, removing barriers to access.
Learn More About Dr. Roychowdhury’s Innovative Cancer Research
The Inspiration Behind the DEFY Charity Golf Tournament
Wendy Chioji lived her life with boldness, joy, and purpose, leaving a legacy that has continued to inspire others after her passing in 2019. A dedicated Rider from 2015 to 2019, Wendy championed Pelotonia’s mission with the same passion she brought to every part of her life. Whether on a bike, in a newsroom, or atop a mountain, she inspired everyone she met to defy the limits before them.
An Emmy Award–winning journalist, endurance athlete, and advocate for others, Wendy spent more than 25 years anchoring WESH 2 News in Orlando, becoming one of the region’s most trusted and beloved voices.
Wendy’s connection to cancer began in 2001, when she was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. Throughout chemotherapy and recovery, she remained remarkably active, continuing to run, bike, and race triathlons. Her transparency about her cancer journey and determination inspired viewers across Florida and beyond. After completing treatment and being cancer-free, she…