TRU Partnership is shuffling up a new way to bring the South Jersey community together while supporting neighbors in need.
The all-volunteer nonprofit will host its first Mah Jongg Tournament Fundraiser on Oct. 25 at Game Friendzy, combining friendly competition, casual play, raffles, food and shopping to raise money for the organization’s work throughout South Jersey.
“We wanted to create a fundraiser that was genuinely fun and brought people together while supporting the work TRU does every day,” event organizer Ruth Halpern said. “Mah Jongg has such a strong and enthusiastic community in our area, and we thought it would be a great way to introduce more people to TRU while giving those who already know us a fun way to support our cause.”
TRU Partnership provides essential and “joy-enhancing” household items to individuals and families in need, helping them create comfortable and stable living spaces. The organization collects, upcycles and redistributes donated furniture, dishes, lamps, toys, décor and other household goods.
Its recipients include people experiencing housing insecurity and financial hardship, as well as domestic-violence survivors and individuals in recovery or living with disabilities.
Halpern describes the nonprofit’s work as a “circle of giving and receiving,” connecting people with items they no longer need to neighbors who can put them to use.
Proceeds from the Mah Jongg fundraiser will help TRU cover the costs associated with collecting, transporting, storing and distributing donated goods. Funds also help purchase materials needed to prepare donations for their new homes, including paint, refinishing supplies and upholstery fabric.
In some cases, the organization’s work involves more unusual expenses, such as purchasing a replacement battery to make a donated electric wheelchair usable again.
Because TRU is entirely volunteer-run, Halpern said administrative costs remain low, allowing resources to go directly toward its community work.
The Oct. 25 event marks a milestone for the organization. It will be TRU’s first community fundraiser, as previous fundraising efforts have largely focused on soliciting individual donations.
Doors will open at 12:15 p.m., with tournament play beginning at 1 p.m. Participants will compete in three 50-minute rounds following National Mah Jongg League rules.
The tournament is designed to include players who know the game but may not have previous tournament experience.
“We know there are plenty of people who love playing Mah Jongg with their regular group but have never entered a tournament before, and we hope some of them will give it a try,” Halpern said.
For those who prefer a more relaxed afternoon, TRU will offer a separate fun-play room with no competition or tournament pressure. Participants can arrive with their own group or come individually and meet other players.
The fundraiser will also feature raffle baskets, a 50/50 and a separate raffle for a Mah Jongg cabinet and new travel set. Homemade Mah Jongg-themed items will be available for purchase, and snacks and treats will be served throughout the afternoon.
Tournament participants will receive five raffle tickets with registration, while winners of individual games will earn tickets for a special prize drawing. The tournament’s top three finishers will receive Visa gift cards of $150, $100 and $50, respectively.
Halpern said interest is already growing. Fifteen tournament players had registered when she provided the event details, with organizers hoping to attract 32 to 40 players. Another 25 people had already signed up for fun play.
But beyond raising money, Halpern hopes attendees leave with a greater understanding of the needs that exist close to home and the role they can play in helping their neighbors.
“TRU is really about connecting people—those who have something to give with those who need it,” she said.
And, ideally, attendees will leave asking one more question.
“That was really fun,” Halpern said. “When are they doing it again?”
