On March 19, 2026, the Seasons assisted living center in Cincinnati’s Kenwood neighborhood hosted a Mahjong fundraising event that brought together 70 players and raised $2,375 for Alzheimer’s research and support services. This inaugural event demonstrated how community gatherings centered around something people genuinely enjoy—a traditional tile game—can translate directly into meaningful funding for organizations fighting dementia. The event was organized by Seasons in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Do What You Love” initiative, which connects recreational activities with fundraising efforts to support families navigating cognitive decline.
The success of this event offers insights into how assisted living communities and dementia advocates are reimagining fundraising beyond traditional galas or silent auctions. Rather than asking people to attend yet another formal event, Seasons created an atmosphere where participants could play a game they love while knowing their participation would advance Alzheimer’s research and provide resources to people dealing with the disease firsthand. This article explores how the Cincinnati event unfolded, what made it work, and what other communities might learn from this model.
Table of Contents
- How a Single Event Mobilized Community Support for Alzheimer’s Causes
- Understanding Mahjong as a Cultural Bridge and Cognitive Activity
- The “Do What You Love” Initiative and Its Role in Alzheimer’s Advocacy
- How Assisted Living Communities Can Integrate Fundraising with Resident and Community Life
- Addressing Transportation and Accessibility in Community Fundraising
- The Broader Impact on Alzheimer’s Awareness in Cincinnati
- Building a Model for Community-Centered Dementia Support
- Conclusion
How a Single Event Mobilized Community Support for Alzheimer’s Causes
The Cincinnati Mahjong event succeeded because it removed barriers to participation. Rather than requiring large monetary donations to attend, players could join by showing up to play a game they likely already knew or could learn alongside others. Seventy people across a range of experience levels participated, which speaks to the event’s accessibility.
By framing the gathering as recreation rather than obligation, Seasons made supporting Alzheimer’s care feel natural rather than transactional. The $2,375 raised—exceeding the initial $2,000 target—was distributed to the Alzheimer’s Association to support research, clinical care programs, and family support services. For context, funds at this scale typically support initiatives like caregiver education workshops, support group facilitation, or research contributions that move the needle on understanding how dementia progresses. In communities where large-scale fundraisers are saturated and donor fatigue is real, smaller, community-driven events like this one often generate more genuine participation.
Understanding Mahjong as a Cultural Bridge and Cognitive Activity
Mahjong is a traditional Chinese tile-based game played by four players with a set of 144 tiles, typically involving strategy, memory, and quick decision-making. While often associated with Asian American communities, the game has gained broader cultural popularity and appeals to players across age groups and backgrounds. For Seasons and the Alzheimer’s Association, choosing Mahjong was strategically sound: the game requires focus and social engagement without being stressful or competitive in a way that discourages participation.
However, the appeal of Mahjong for this specific event went beyond the game mechanics. For many participants—particularly those with aging relatives or personal connections to dementia—playing Mahjong provided an emotionally resonant way to engage with the cause. The game’s emphasis on community play meant that the event wasn’t about individual achievement but collective participation toward a shared goal. This distinction matters: people remember events where they felt part of something larger, which builds sustained support for organizations rather than one-time donations.
The “Do What You Love” Initiative and Its Role in Alzheimer’s Advocacy
The Alzheimer’s Association’s “Do What You Love” initiative pairs recreational activities with fundraising, recognizing that lasting engagement comes when people feel like they’re doing something they already enjoy. Rather than forcing supporters into unfamiliar territory, the program says: what do you love doing? Now do it, and direct some of the proceeds to Alzheimer’s support. Elizabeth Bangel-Stehlin, Senior community Relations Director at Seasons and a past chair of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater Cincinnati Gala, noted that “70 individuals came together to support the cause through something as joyful as Mahjong.” This approach has proven effective for the Alzheimer’s Association nationally.
When supporters feel like they’re gaining something—enjoyment, connection, skill-building—alongside giving, they’re more likely to participate and to encourage others to do the same. The Cincinnati event shows this principle in action: seventy people didn’t attend because they felt obligated to sit through a formal event. They attended because they wanted to play Mahjong, and the fundraising component made their recreational time meaningful.
How Assisted Living Communities Can Integrate Fundraising with Resident and Community Life
Seasons’ decision to host the Mahjong event speaks to a broader shift in how assisted living communities approach their role in the surrounding area. Rather than operating primarily as care facilities that residents and families interact with one-directionally, Seasons positioned itself as a community anchor capable of convening people around shared interests. This approach benefits both the community and the organization: residents and their families feel more connected to the facility’s mission, and the organization strengthens its reputation. For other assisted living communities considering similar events, the Cincinnati model shows several key elements worth replicating.
First, choosing an activity tied to resident interests—not just what sounds like a good fundraiser—matters. Second, partnering with an established organization like the Alzheimer’s Association provides credibility and helps with promotion. Third, keeping the event accessible (low entry barriers, mixed skill levels) encourages broader participation than exclusive or competitive formats. The tradeoff, of course, is that more accessible events require more logistics to manage, but Seasons clearly found the effort worthwhile.
Addressing Transportation and Accessibility in Community Fundraising
One practical limitation in events like the Cincinnati Mahjong fundraiser is ensuring that people with mobility challenges or transportation barriers can participate. For an event held at an assisted living center—a location where many attendees likely have family members already receiving care—proximity may not be an issue. However, if similar events expand to other neighborhoods or require travel, organizers need to plan for accessible parking, clear signage, and potentially transportation support.
Additionally, while Mahjong is accessible to people with varying abilities, some cognitive or physical limitations could make participation difficult. The most inclusive version of this event would include ways for people to contribute even if they couldn’t play—perhaps sponsoring a player, watching and socializing, or making direct donations. These considerations don’t undermine the Cincinnati event’s success; rather, they highlight the practical planning that went into making it work and that future events would need to address similarly.
The Broader Impact on Alzheimer’s Awareness in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Mahjong event generated local media attention and conversations about Alzheimer’s support in a community that, like many others, has a significant population dealing with cognitive decline. An event that raised $2,375 isn’t just about the dollars—it’s also about the seventy people who now have a direct connection to the Alzheimer’s Association and may become ongoing supporters, volunteers, or advocates.
Some of these attendees likely had personal stakes in the cause: aging parents, spouses navigating dementia, or professional interest in cognitive health. This ripple effect is often undervalued in fundraising. The money is important, but the community awareness and personal engagement can yield returns over months and years through continued support, word-of-mouth recommendations, and participation in future initiatives.
Building a Model for Community-Centered Dementia Support
The success of Seasons’ Mahjong event points toward a future where Alzheimer’s and dementia support is woven into the fabric of community life rather than isolated to disease-specific organizations. As the aging population grows and more families face dementia-related challenges, communities need multiple entry points for engagement and support.
Recreational fundraisers that feel authentic—where people genuinely want to participate—are one proven pathway. Looking forward, the Cincinnati event demonstrates that the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Do What You Love” initiative resonates locally and can be adapted to reflect community strengths and interests. If other assisted living centers, community centers, or neighborhood groups adopt similar models—centered on activities residents and community members already enjoy—the cumulative impact on Alzheimer’s funding and awareness could be substantial.
Conclusion
The Cincinnati Mahjong event at Seasons assisted living center successfully brought together community, recreation, and purpose. Seventy players raised $2,375 for Alzheimer’s research and family support services, proving that meaningful fundraising doesn’t require formal galas or heavy-handed appeals. Instead, when organizers create space for people to do something they enjoy while contributing to a cause they care about, the results speak for themselves.
If you’re involved with an assisted living community, local organization, or family touched by dementia, the Cincinnati model offers a practical blueprint. Identify an activity your community loves, partner with an established advocacy organization, and create an accessible way for people to participate. The funding matters, but the community connection and awareness-building may matter even more in the long fight against dementia.
