Children from Arlandria had long used a patch of bare earth behind Elbert Avenues low-income homes as an impromptu soccer field, but after a bit of work the empty lot transformed into the real deal. 

Children from our homes were always out there playing soccer in the dirt, said Jim Dempsey, director of development for Community Lodgings. The local nonprofit owns the property and adjacent housing. 

We just wanted to give them something better, he said.

Dempsey and a team of 50 volunteers spent six hours leveling the 2,000 square-foot field, installing a donated Astroturf surface, painting lines and setting up nets Saturday. They also poured mulch in another area of the field for additional play space.

Community Lodgings partnered with the local branch of Deloitte, an international consulting firm, to complete the project.