In November, we’ll begin our winter clothes distribution and we’ll welcome once again the displaced community living on the island in our Free Shop. Today, over 97% of people on the move in Samos reside in the Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC), where living conditions remain extremely difficult. New arrivals always increase during the winter season, and we are expecting high numbers once again over the next few months.Â
Last winter, between November 2024 and May 2025, Samos Volunteers distributed 51,930 items – including shoes, warm clothing, and essential non-food items such as blankets and sleeping bags – to 5,088 people on the move. As the cold season approaches once again, we’re preparing to reach those who need support the most.
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Our organisation is able to run thanks to people who dedicate their time to volunteer with us, or their resources to donate to us.Â
The clothes and other essentials distributed by the camp to residents upon arrival are often not sufficient to keep them warm during the cold winter months. Located in a remote, hilly area, the camp is exposed to harsh weather, and, while some containers have air conditioning units that can be used as heaters, whole sections of the camp are not provided with these. Without proper clothing, residents face severe discomfort, increased health risks, and a lack of basic dignity.
This is why we’re launching the Choose Your Warmth 2025 Campaign! Your support will help us cover essential costs and run our much-needed winter clothes distribution for the island’s displaced community.
Immense pressure is placed on grassroots NGOs like Samos Volunteers to fill the gaps left by government inaction, making sure people can protect themselves from the weather every winter. Our commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, responsiveness, dignity, and equality drives us to stay prepared to support the whole community on the island.
Your support will enable us to ensure everyone can keep warm this winter with dignity. We focus on providing clothing that allows people to keep warm and feel dignified, even in challenging conditions.
All of our items are donated, then carefully checked, sorted, and washed by our team to ensure quality and respect for each recipient.
If you’d like to donate your second-hand clothes, we especially need:
 🧥 Jackets and coats
 👟 Shoes and boots (all sizes)
👖Trousers and long sleeve jumpers for menÂ
 🧦 Socks (for men) and tights (for women and children)
 🧣 Scarves, hats, and gloves
Get your community around you to collect with our most needed items and get some boxes together! You can ship it directly to Alpha Centre, where we can sort and clean the items and have them ready for distribution at the free shop. We can build bridges, one box at a time!
Samos Volunteers - Alpha CentreÂ
2 Dimitriou Petrou
83100, Samos
GreeceÂ
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Shoes and jackets are our most high-value item and the most difficult one for us to provide, especially in winter. Shoes wear out quickly, and people who visit our shop only have one pair of shoes with them, leading to foot ache, complications with extremities, and no protection from the weather.
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The majority of our adult demographic is men (sizes S and M). For reasons of cultural and social sensitivity, we prefer clothes that cover the knees and shoulders of all genders. We also appreciate clothes that do not have large brands on them or have writing and imagery that may be triggering for people on the move (no references to the police, Coast Guard, violence, weaponry, sea, or imprisonment for either adult or children's clothes). For hygiene reasons, we do not accept secondhand undergarments.
Together, we can ensure that everyone on Samos stays warm, safe, and treated with dignity this winter!
View here our estimated winter needs list for the winter clothes distribution.Â
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You can send an email to communications@samosvolunteers.org or fundraising@samosvolunteers.org for further information. Â
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