The Sun City Mah Jongg Club, through the governing body of the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL), donated $525 to Sunshine Service in Sun City, from its sale of mah jongg cards for the year 2021. This year’s donation was the largest amount given by the Sun City Mah Jongg Club through the NMJL.

Close to $2,000 has been received by Sunshine Service from the sale of the cards over the years.

Mah jongg is a tile game that uses around 84 different patterns of numbers and symbols found on a horizontal card to make up winning “hands.” These cards and the patterns displayed on them change every year. Mah jongg players must purchase a card annually from the NMJL to see the new “winning hands” for the year. A card costs around $10, and a portion of the sale of these cards through the Sun City Mah Jongg Club has gone to Sunshine Service for more than 10 years.

The Sun City Mah Jongg Club is again taking orders for the 2022 card. One need not be a member of the club to order the new card. Sun City resident and club member Janis Stiewing is collecting orders through Jan. 11. She can be reached at 13jwing@gmail.com for more information. All cards ordered through the club are sent by the NMJL directly to each individual around the first week in April.

The NJML is a nonprofit organization that governs mah jongg rules, provides the new cards for sale each year and gives money to charities designated by mah jongg clubs or groups around the country that sell 35 or more cards annually.

For more information about the Sun City Mah Jongg Club, call Sandy Ryan, 623-399-6337.

Sunshine Service lends a variety of items Sun Citians may need on a temporary or perhaps longer-term basis, such as medical equipment, temporary hospital beds for in-home placement, even baby cribs and strollers for visiting grandchildren. The service does not charge for what it lends out. It is supported by donations, and it has been a helping and supportive fixture in Sun City since 1962.