• The Diablo Valley Futbol Club has completed a major renovation at its soccer fields for players in Central Contra Costa, California.
• The youth soccer organization matched a donation from Marathon Petroleum to install new, high-quality grass, an irrigation system and portable lighting on the field.
• The nonprofit, along with several other organizations, rent the fields for a symbolic rate of $1 a year.

Marathon Petroleum gave a $100,000 grant to youth soccer organization, Diablo Valley Futbol Club (DVFC), to help fund renovations at two soccer fields on the property of its Martinez facility. The donation from Marathon was matched by DVFC and was used to install new, high-quality Bermuda grass, an irrigation system and portable lighting to extend playable hours on the field.

"DVFC has been able to transform a dream into a reality. This community initiative goes beyond grass and lights; it allows us to continue in our passion for supporting local youth and provides us with the ability to develop many of the community's talented athletes,” said Britni Seaholm, DVFC Board of Directors. “We'd like to give a heartfelt 'thank you' to Marathon for championing the future of our youth."

Marathon is one of the club’s primary sponsors and allows DVFC to rent the fields at a symbolic rate of $1 a year.

"This generous contribution and support helps us bring our people together and foster a sense of community to directly impact and enrich the lives of our youth by harnessing their potential to achieve individual and team success," said Adrian Peña, DVFC Regional Commissioner and Board President.

The DVFC provides local youth with top soccer-licensed coaching and multiple pathways for development regardless of a families’ ability to pay. DVFC serves over 1,500 top players across 90 teams, with teams playing at the highest competitive levels.

“We are proud to support this community-centric nonprofit soccer organization that is developing and empowering young people through sports,” said Nichol Carranza, Marathon’s Community Relations Representative. “Marathon provides funding for programs that promote the resiliency of our shared communities, including supporting youth development programs.”

For three decades, DVFC has used Marathon’s sports fields for its youth games and programs. Marathon Fields are also home to the Junior Optimist Baseball League, Martinez Baseball Club, Blue Devils Performing Arts marching band, and a parking lot for employees at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. All the organizations pay only $1 a year.