Meet Peter: Our 2023 Volunteer of the Year

Embodying a community of Warmth and Willingness to Share

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When Peter Vizcaino first came to the National AIDS Memorial Grove in 2011, it was for business. His company was participating in a special workday. But like it has for so many, the magic of the Grove inspired Peter, and the Grove’s community became an integral part of his identity.

Giving Back through AIDS Volunteer Work

Growing up in San Francisco during the height of the AIDS crisis, Peter watched HIV spread its way throughout the quiet streets and classrooms around him. “I had high school and college classmates die from AIDS,” Peter recalled. “My first partner tested positive too.” Standing there in that sacred space as the morning fog rolled through the canopies around him, Peter felt the hope, healing and remembrance that the Grove has inspired for decades.

Peter returned for a Community Volunteer Workday. And then another. And then another one after that. Each time he came back, Peter was welcomed by new people from the community, and joined other volunteers at our monthly healing circle. There, members of the community are invited to share the unique stories of those lost. “There’s a warmth and willingness to share at the Grove,” Peter explained, “people are willing to talk about things here that others aren’t in other places.”

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A Community Rooted in Activism

In the decade since that first visit, Peter has become a team leader at our workdays and a trailblazer for the National AIDS Memorial community. Each year, he brings new friends and coworkers to the Grove to share its magic with others. During the height of the COVID pandemic, when volunteer workdays were canceled, Peter would show up to the Grove on his own and ask gardeners how he could help. Despite this above and beyond commitment to the Grove and what it stands for, Peter was caught off guard when he was recognized as our 2023 Volunteer of the Year. “It’s surprising to be recognized because everyone is doing such great work. It’s humbling because everyone who volunteers is there for their own special reasons,” Peter explained. “But It’s meaningful to be recognized for doing something you love. I’m not a great public speaker, I’m more introverted by nature, but this recognition makes me feel seen and valued.”

One moment that perhaps best sums up Peter’s visceral commitment to the Grove and its power to provide healing, hope and remembrance is an experience that Peter describes as one of his favorites from his twelve years in the Grove. While planting a massive maple tree in memory of a life lost to AIDS, Peter and his team struggled to get the tree up the hill to its new home “This tree was enormous…” Peter recalled. “But everyone brought their ideas and strength to the table and helped get the memorial tree up the hill.”

Peter is a leader who brings his warmth and collaborative nature to the Grove every month. Congratulations to Peter on his much deserved recognition as our 2023 Volunteer of the Year!

How to Make a Difference in the AIDS Community

To experience for yourself the warmth of the National AIDS Memorial community and the healing, hope and remembrance that the Grove inspires, join us at an upcoming Community Volunteer Workday. You can learn more about the Grove and our workdays here: https://www.aidsmemorial.org/grove