Vienna Youth Soccer Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Open House, Food Drive

VIENNA, VA — Vienna Youth Soccer, a community program dating back to 1975, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Friday.

The youth soccer club serves a variety of age groups with recreational, developmental, and travel soccer programs along with camps and clinics, adult coed leagues and a program for children and young adults with disabilities. The club says it has served more than 3,000 athletes each year and have participated in more than 100 seasons.

"Vienna Youth Soccer’s longevity and success are a direct reflection of the amazing community that it serves," said Vienna Youth Soccer Board President Heather Helmstetter in a message to members. "Our strength comes from the people within Vienna and we are proud to be part of this community."

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who represents the Town of Vienna on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, recognized the club's 50th anniversary with a board matter. The supervisor requested a resolution to congratulate Vienna Youth Soccer for its 50th anniversary.

"Since its inception, way back in 1975 this remarkable organization has served 50,000 members directly through its programs, engaged more than 200,000 individuals in the community and played over 100 seasons of soccer. That's a lot of soccer," said Alcorn. "The group has also donated over $2 million to the community through scholarships and facilities development, following through on one of its founding tenets that all should have the opportunity to play."

One initiative Vienna Youth Soccer has worked on recently was No Room for Abuse, which seeks to address increasing verbal and physical abuse toward referees. The club launched the effort in fall 2023 and said it had a record-low number of reported incidents targeting referees in fall 2024.

The club thanked the players, families, volunteers, referees, administrators, directors, partners and sponsors for their contributions over 50 years. Anyone who has been involved with or supports Vienna Youth Soccer is invited to the club's open house on Friday, Jan. 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Vienna Youth Soccer office, 311 Maple Ave West Unit D, Vienna, VA.

The club is holding a food drive through Jan. 20 amidst its anniversary. Donations are being collected for the Food for Others Power Pack Program, which provides meals to children on non-school days. Donations can be dropped off at the Vienna Youth Soccer office inside during office hours or outside, or at the open house Friday. Volunteers can help make winter kits and blankets, with supplies already provided.

Suggested food donations include:

• Fruit cups (in juice)
• Cheese and crackers
• Granola bars
• Fruit snacks, dried fruits
• Oatmeal packets
• Cereal (individual)
• Shelf-stable milk
• Chili cups, mac and cheese cups
• Tuna/chicken salad kits
• Chef Boyardee ravioli cups
• 100 percent fruit juice boxes
• Capri Sun

Donations should not include: peanut butter or items containing peanut butter, candy, Pop Tarts, Vienna sausages, glass containers, high sugar items, apple sauce cups with tinfoil lids, and bottled water.