Summer in Victoria is well under way, with all the fun this wonderful area has to offer.  It is easy and tempting to overlook those that live outside our society's norm while we play in the sun.  The summer months bring a whole new set of obstacles facing the poorer families both here and around the world.  My boys and I spent our Sunday combining the summer outdoors with family, friends, food and altruism.  Sunday was a fundraiser for the Victoria Street Soccer Association, held at the main field behind Victoria High School.  It's not a very glamorous charity, mostly supported privately.  Weekly games are held year round for the marginalized of our society to participate in organized sports, get a meal, (provided by Fat Daddy's Bbq), build community ties and self esteem and in general, participate in the society around them in a meaningful way.  It is loosely affiliated with Street Soccer Canada and the Homeless World Cup and follows the same goals for reaching out to the community.  For more information their achievements and personal stories, as well as upcoming events, click this link:  http://www.streetsoccercanada.org/   The fundraiser on Sunday raised money to pay for the rental of the gym in the Fernwood Community Center over the winter so the players and supporters can get out of the cold wet weather while they participate.  It was a great day to enjoy a barbequed burger with my good friend Alicia and all our kids.  She made the time to come out and support the guys after just completing her own fundraiser for VIDEA, The Victoria International Development Education Association.  She, and her family, kids included, completed a Global Solidarity Challenge that had them trying to live without many of our first world perks.  My personal favorite highlight of her week was the wonderful pictures she posted of her kids enduring cold water bucket baths.  Click here for info on her pledge or to donate:  Alicia's paricipant page  It was a great day, with the only injury being sustained by my 4 year old, a bloody nose, caused by the 9 year old, soccer ball to the face.  We enjoyed our burgers in the sun and Fat Daddy's contribution to her cause put her over the $600 mark for the week.  It was a great way to support our community and pass on some of our good fortune to others as well as being a reminder to keep finding ways to reach out to others in our busy, busy lives.  The next time you are running around our amazing city, enjoying all our wonder amenities, it might be a nice idea to put your Costco card to good use and buy a flat of water to hand out to some of our less fortunate to help beat the summer heat.  Drinking water should be a basic human right, but for all too many in the world, it is a luxury.  I hope to see you out at the next fundraiser.  Info on VIDEA:  Victoria International Development Education Association