Mahjong for Colombia was born from a simple idea: bringing people together for a meaningful morning, while finding a way to directly support families in Colombia affected by the recent earthquakes.
The initiative brought together four Colombian and Venezuelan women and three local businesses: Alexandra of D’Lite Bistro, Key Mahjong Club’s María Fernanda Quintero and Estefanía Diaz-Balart and Valerie Hernandez of Pink Pineapple Beachwear. Each of them knew families or individuals personally affected by the earthquakes, making the cause especially close to home.
Together, they created a morning centered around community, connection and giving back. Guests gathered at D’Lite Bistro in Key Biscayne to enjoy breakfast, connect with others and play Mahjong, while raising funds for families working to rebuild and recover.
Key Mahjong Club donated its time to host guided games and introduce guests to Mahjong, a traditional Chinese tile-based game that combines strategy, skill and social interaction. D’Lite provided the welcoming setting for the gathering, while Pinkpineapple Beachwear shared its charitable scarf initiative, through which proceeds from special Colombia and Venezuela designs are being used to support communities in need.
What began as a small community get-together became something much more meaningful. The event raised more than $1,000, with the funds going directly to help several families affected by the earthquakes.
For the organizers, the morning was a reminder that giving back does not always have to happen on a large scale. Sometimes it begins with people coming together, contributing what they can and using their own businesses, talents and communities to create an impact.
“Our goal was simply to spend a beautiful morning together, connect, learn something new and find a different way to help Colombia. Seeing our Key Biscayne community come together and turn that idea into real support for families who need it made the morning incredibly special.”