By Johnny Orr

St Mirren is a football club with the community at its heart and the aim to be the best community centered club in Scotland.

The festive period is a time for giving and helping those less fortunate and the buddies’ charitable causes help make a difference in the local areas at a time when it is needed most.

Over the month of December, the club has been involved in many fantastic campaigns. One of which is the ‘Winter Warmer’ initiative, set up by Homeless Project Scotland for fans to donate warm clothing to those most in need this winter. Founder and Chairman of the charity Colin McInnes praised the continuous support from the Saints, He said: “St Mirren are really leading the way with helping us out, in fact, we haven’t had much support from any other clubs in Scotland. The results of the donations will help to keep at least one thousand people warm over winter.”

Colin highlights the importance of the campaign: “The donations will quite literally stop vulnerable people from freezing in the streets this winter and I can’t thank the club and its supporters enough for their continued generosity over the years.”

The club have also been involved with local charity Home Start, who offer support for local families with young children in times of need. St Mirren, who are strategic partners with the charity, encouraged supporters to donate whatever they could to the Home Start Christmas appeal and it was a roaring success. Fans came out in large numbers to donate new toys, selection boxes, and books that will go to local families this Christmas.

Ashley Greenwood, Home Start’s Renfrewshire team manager said: “We have been the recipients of free football tickets for our families, as well as gift appeals at Christmas where supporters have donated an incredible amount of gifts to help local families, we would like to take this chance to say thank you to St Mirren and their supporters from the bottom of our hearts for their generosity and continued support.”

The saints also have their own charitable organisation St Mirren Charitable Foundation. The charity has recently finished a ’12 Days of Christmas’ auction campaign raising money for a good cause and giving fans the chance to win fantastic prizes. That is not all, the club is also working with the SPFL Trust to help deliver hot meals and food hampers on Christmas day.

St Mirren have shown the power that football can have by helping local communities, families, and anyone in need during this festive period. The Paisley club have done so much for their community in Renfrewshire and are setting an example to all.