Summerville Mah Jongg Marathon Raises Funds for Hunger Relief

On June 28, four women will sit down at The Pickle Bar in Summerville, South Carolina, and won't get up for two full days.

Nancy de Zutter and three fellow mah jongg enthusiasts from Georgia, Florida, and Texas are attempting to shatter the current world record of 33 hours set by four Russians in 2012. Their goal is 48 hours of continuous play, verified by Guinness World Records officials, video documentation, and independent witnesses.

But this marathon is about more than bragging rights. Every tile played will support The Lowcountry Food Bank and Mah Jongg for Memories, a national Alzheimer's initiative.

De Zutter has only been playing the ancient Chinese tile game for two years, while her teammates Jan Egri, Michele Frizzell, and Jennifer Clayton have decades of experience. The game, which exploded in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, is experiencing a renaissance today.

"It's really exploded in popularity over the past couple years," said de Zutter, founder of Cane Bay Mah Jongg. The game's combination of strategy, memory, and social connection makes it particularly meaningful for raising awareness about cognitive health.

The Pickle Bar has become an unexpected hub for the mah jongg community, hosting weekly games and leagues alongside its pickleball offerings. Owner Pat Duncan sees the connection between both games as natural gathering points for people seeking community.

"It's competitive, it's social, and it's rooted in community," Duncan said. "Whether you play pickleball, mah jongg, or just want to support a great cause, this is going to be something really cool."

The Ripple Effect

The event highlights how games traditionally associated with leisure can serve serious purposes. Mah jongg requires focus, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking, making it an ideal activity for promoting brain health while raising funds for those fighting memory loss.

The public can attend during designated viewing hours to cheer on the players and learn about the causes they're supporting. The combination of athletic endurance, mental stamina, and charitable giving creates a unique community event that celebrates both human capability and compassion.

Four women, 144 tiles, and 48 hours to show what community looks like when people turn passion into purpose.