ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers recently made a $100,000 donation to the Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area (SOCA). The gift supports SOCA’s plans to build a new Field House in the Belvedere neighborhood just north of Charlottesville. The Field House will serve as SOCA’s home and include a state-of-the-art synthetic playing field, fitness room, team rooms, and a café, in addition to the club’s offices and other supporting spaces.

ACAC, founded in Charlottesville in 1984, operates 13 fitness and wellness clubs in the mid-Atlantic region with five facilities in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. The club is devoted to helping community members “live their best” by offering innovative health and wellness programming and services for all ages.

Community engagement and stewardship is one of ACAC’s five core values, and the organization takes an active role in the community. ACAC supports many local non-profits and civic groups, such as the Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, Alzheimer’s Association, and UVA Cancer Center, and has been a long-time supporter of SOCA. The SOCA-ACAC South Fork Soccer Park was built in 2002 after acac made a lead gift towards the initiative.

“SOCA has built a strong soccer community in our area, promoting all levels of play, for youth and adults,” said ACAC owner Phil Wendel. “Their emphasis on both player development and enjoyment helps participants stay active in the sport for life, which is an important key to good health.  Aiding an organization that impacts nearly 7500 young people and adults each year is consistent with our mission of improving community health and we are proud to support their efforts.”

“We value our ongoing relationship with ACAC and appreciate their support of our Field House project. ACAC’s devotion to improving lives through health and wellness is an excellent fit with SOCA’s mission of growing the game of soccer and the many benefits that come from participating in the sport,” said SOCA’s Executive Director, Matt Wilson. “ACAC has been a great supporter of youth athletics throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle, not just for our organization but other youth sports and high school programs as well. We wouldn’t be able to offer the quality program we do without their support.”

In May, SOCA announced a $200,000 Challenge Grant issued by the Perry Foundation in support of construction of the SOCA Field House. If SOCA is able to raise $200,000 by December 5, it will receive a matching $200,000 from the Perry Foundation to aid in the facility’s construction. With acac’s $100,000, the fundraising count stands at $193,000 toward the goal.  Donations can be made at www.SOCAFieldHouse.org. SOCA is a not-for-profit 501-c-3 organization. Donations can be tax deductible.