FUN AND FUNDRAISER
MENDOCINOMah Jongg
Combat trafficking of young Vietnamese children by supporting
their education – a tax-deductible Rotary District 5170 Foundation project.
SECURING YOUR SPOT IS EASY AS 1, 2, 3!
1) Decide if you want to play in the Tournament or if you’d rather engage in Social Play.
2) Click below to pay online. The fee for Tournament play is $275 or Social play fee is $150. Please enter the proper amount on the Paypal screen.
3) Complete our Registration form for the option you chose and paid for.
For additional information about registration, contact us at MendocinoMahJongg@gmail.com.
The portion of your payment that is considered a deductible charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess of money contributed by you over the value of goods and services provided by us. Our good faith estimate of the fair market value of goods and services provided is $200 for tournament players and $75 for social players, which means that $75 is the amount that is considered as a charitable contribution by you. If you have questions about how much, if any, of your charitable contribution is allowable on your tax return, please consult your tax advisor.
If you cannot attend and wish to make a donation, thank you! Click on the Pay Online button above or send a check payable to “Rotary District 5170 Foundation” and include “Rotary Vietnam Project” and your phone number on the check. Please mail your check to: Paul Ellis, P.O. Box 360167, Milpitas, CA 95036-0167.
HISTORY
We held the first Mendocino Mah Jongg Fundraiser in March 2020 at Little River Inn’s Abalone Hall right before things turned upside down. Players kicked off 3 days of play, some from as far away as Boston. We learned about the Rotary D5170 Vietnam Project that we were there to support with our favorite game.
In February 2023, we came together again to play over a rainy three days, snug by a well-tended fire within the full view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Attendees participated in a mini-tournament, silent auction, raffles, vendors and programs by Rotary and Toby Salk. We so enjoyed ourselves playing together in person again!
In 2024 we returned to Little River Inn and spent three spectacular days of blue bird skies and warm weather. The fun returned with special programs, mini-Mah Jongg Tournaments, open play sessions, vendors and games, all to support our project of fundraising for the Rotary D5170 Vietnam Project to combat sex trafficking of Vietnamese girls by providing support to maintain their education.
In 2025, we added a 12-round cumulative tournament, plus three themed mini-tournaments. In total, we have raised over $80,000 for the Rotary D5170 Vietnam Project!
STAYING AT THE LITTLE RIVER INN
For a Special accommodation rate at Little River Inn 7901 CA – 1, Little River Inn, CA, please reserve your room directly online at www.littleriverinn.com or call 1 – 888 – INN – LOVE (1-888-466-5683).
If booking online use the Access Code Lovemahj or if calling mention the Mah Jongg fundraiser to get your special rate.
If your partner is not a player, they can enjoy golf, the Spa, the Botanical Gardens, Redwood Forest hiking and beach walks along the picturesque northern California coast.
2026 SCHEDULE
Sunday, February 22, 2026
2:00 pm – Social Play in Abalone room – all day, every day
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm Event Check-in (Abalone Room), Silent Auction opens, sign up for box lunches and mini tournaments.
4:00 pm Check-in at Little River Inn
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Wine and Cheese Welcome Reception
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Dinner on your own. Make reservations at LRI if dining onsite.
7:30 pm – 8:00 pm Optional: Tournament Orientation (especially for new tournament players)
8:00 pm Mini Tournament check in. Players should be seated by 8:05 if playing in optional mini tournament. Walls can be built while announcements are being made.
8:15 pm – 9:15 pm Optional: Mini Tournament #1. Theme: Warm Up Fun!
Monday, February 23, 2026
Breakfast – On your own. A full breakfast is available at Little River Inn. The dining room is open from 8:00 am to 9:30 am weekdays and room service is offered between 8:00 am – 9:30 am.
8:00 am – 10 pm Social Play – all day, every day
8:30 am Tournament Check In (coffee, tea and muffins available)
8:30 am – 8 pm Optional: Relaxed time tournament rounds for social players only
8:45 am Tournament players should be seated by 8:45 am. Walls can be built while announcements are being made.
9:00 am – 12:30 pm Tournament Rounds 1-3
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Lunch on your own or pick up your pre-ordered boxed lunch. Optional: Tour of the Little River Museum
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm Tournament Rounds 4-6
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Toby Salk’s Power Point Presentation about Mah Jongg in the movies and television, interviews and so much more!
7:00 pm Mendocino Mah Jongg Party! A great opportunity to socialize! Join us for a pizza dinner and lots of fun activities, including an introduction to Hong Kong Style Mahjong by Sharon Scott. Enjoy pizza and salad, wine, wine spritzer cocktails and mocktails (all included with your registration)! Open play for American Mah Jongg, Hong Kong Mahjong or Siamese Mah Jongg throughout the party.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Breakfast – On Your Own. A Full Breakfast is available at Little River Inn. The dining room is open from 8:00 am to 9:30 am weekdays and room service is offered between 8:00 am– 9:30 am.
8:00 am – 10:00 pm Social Play – all day, every day
8:30 am to 8 pm Optional: Relaxed-time tournament rounds for social players only
8:45 am Tournament players should be seated by 8:45 am. Walls can be built while announcements are being made.
9:00 am – 12:30 pm Tournament Rounds 7-9
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch on your own or pick up your pre-ordered boxed lunch.
2:00 pm – 5:30 pm Tournament Rounds 10-12
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm A presentation of Modern Mah Jongg Sets by Toby Salk
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Dinner on your own. If you plan to dine at Little River Inn please make a reservation.
8:00 pm Optional Mini Tournament check in. Players should be seated by 8:05 pm if playing in optional mini tournament. Walls can be built while announcements are being made.
8:15 pm – 9:15 pm Optional: Mini Tournament #2. Theme: Pajama Party!
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Breakfast – On Your Own. A Full Breakfast is available at Little River Inn. The dining room is open from 8:00 am to 9:30 am weekdays and room service is offered between 8:00 am – 9:30 am.
8:00 am – 1:00 pm Social Play
9:00 am Silent Auction closes
9:45 am Optional: Mini Tournament check in. Mini tournament players should be seated by 10:05 am. Walls can be built while announcements are being made.
10:00 am Little River Inn Checkout
10:15 am – 11:15 am Mini Tournament #3 Theme: Get Your Mahj On!
12:00 pm Announcement of Winners: Silent Auction, Raffle and Tournament Prizes!
Schedule is subject to change if necessary.
2026 PROGRAMS
Silent Auction – Amazing selection of donated prizes, ranging from get aways to goodie baskets.
Social Play – Available all day, every day!
Monday 8:30 am to 8:00 pm and Tuesday 8:30 am to 8:00 pm.
New! Relaxed-time Tournament Rounds for Social Players.
For registered social players only! Why the new offering? In 2025, there were a few requests for social players to sit together during our Mini Tournaments. That request was turned down out of fairness to the registered tournament players. However, we do understand why social players might want to try playing with tournament rules, but without the pressure of playing with faster players. So, for 2026, we’re offering a separate option for social players only. Our themed Mini Tournaments will still be available for both tournament players and social players; but the Relaxed-time Tournament Rounds will be offered to Social Players ONLY. Same tournament rules, but relaxed time. Social players can sign up for as many rounds as they like – and can keep competing through Tuesday evening – even if their goal is just to top their own score! Each table of four players must turn in their scoresheets (clipped together, please) each day by 8 pm to Tournament Director Alice Shelton. Each round is $10 per player (same as the Mini Tournaments). Half of the registration fees will be donated to the Rotary District 5170 Vietnam Project and half will be awarded as prizes on Wednesday. Hint: For social players who may be curious about tournament play, this is your chance to try out tournament rules (and tournament scoring) without the time pressure. Please note that Tournament Director Alice Shelton does NOT offer this option every year. (The last time was in 2014!) So, if you’re at all curious about tournament play, you won’t want to miss this opportunity! Tournament Director Alice Shelton will be available to answer any questions.
Sunday 4:30 pm Wine & Cheese Welcome Reception
We will meet and greet each other over wine, snacks and beverages. Rotarian Sue McKinney and volunteer Chloe Liekhus will tell us how our project protects vulnerable girls from traffickers and guides them to a safe and productive future. Matching funds increase the impact of your donation. Click here to hear directly from Ms. Nga Nguyen, a stellar example of our project’s success.
Sunday 8:15 pm to 9:15 pm Mini Tournament #1 Theme: Warm-up Fun!
This first mini-tournament will be a nice opportunity to practice new skills. It’s also a chance to warm up for the cumulative tournament starting the next day! To play, please bring $10 cash. Half of the registration fees will be donated to the Rotary District 5170 Vietnam Project and half will be awarded as prizes. Tournament players and social players are welcome to participate in the mini-tournament. Just for fun: We’ll be serving hot apple cider (with Vietnam Cinnamon) and hot cocoa to help us warm up!
Please register in advance for our 12-round cumulative tournament, directed by Alice Shelton. Alice had served as tournament director at our first Mendocino Mah Jongg event in 2020 where she directed 10 hours of tournament play. After a hiatus during the pandemic, Alice returned to Mendocino Mah Jongg in 2025 to direct our first ever 12-round tournament, plus three themed mini tournaments. Alice is happy to return to Mendocino in 2026 to help us raise funds for Rotary’s Vietnam Project. With a $600 grand prize, plus cash prizes for the top ten players, and cash prizes for each of the 12 one-hour rounds, plus lots of fun noncash prizes, the 60 tournament spots will likely sell out quickly!
Monday Night 6 pm to 7 pm “Mah Jongg in Pop Culture and Beyond”
Come hear Toby Salk’s lively presentation about Mah Jongg in the movies and television, interviews and so much more!Toby’s grandmother, mother and aunts all played Mah Jongg when she was kicking in her mother’s womb. She currently teaches and lectures in private homes, ladies’ clubs and at Rancho La Puerta, Mexico. A long-time collector, she restores and sells vintage sets.
7:00 pm Mendocino Mah Jongg Party! A great opportunity to socialize! Join us for a pizza dinner and lots of fun activities, including an introduction to Hong Kong Style Mahjong by Sharon Scott. Enjoy pizza and salad, wine, wine spritzer cocktails and mocktails (all included with your registration)! Open play for American Mah Jongg, Hong Kong Mahjong or Siamese Mah Jongg throughout the party.
Tuesday 5:30 pm to 6 pm Toby Salk’s Curation of exquisite Modern Mah Jongg Sets
A wonderful display of sets you may never have seen before!
Tuesday 8:15 pm to 9:15 pm Mini Tournament #2 Theme: Pajama Party!
To play, please bring $10 cash. Half of the registration fees will be donated to the Rotary District 5170 Vietnam Project – and half will be awarded as prizes. Tournament players and social players are all welcome to participate in the mini tournament.
Bonus: Players who wear sleep attire will earn an extra joker for the first game! This includes: pajamas, nightgown, sleepshirt, robe, slippers, sweatpants, sweatshirt, T-shirt, hair curlers, etc. Let’s relax in our PJs at our Mah Jongg Pajama Party!
Wednesday 9:45 am to 11:15 am Mini-Tournament #3 Theme: Get your Mahj On!
To play, please bring $10 cash. Half of the registration fees will be donated to the Rotary District 5170 Vietnam Project – and half will be awarded as prizes. Tournament players and social players are all welcome to participate in the mini tournament.
Bonus: This is your chance to put on your Mahj wardrobe! Players who wear anything mahjong related will earn an extra joker for the first game. This includes: any Mah Jongg jewelry or any clothing items with a Mah Jongg print, or a flower print, or a dragon print, or Chinese characters, or polka dots, or any items that are red or green or white (the color of our favorite dragons). Let’s have fun Getting Our Mahj On!
QUESTIONS? Contact us at MendocinoMahJongg@gmail.com