Back row, from left: Haruka Roudebush, Tomoharu Sato, Greg Marutani, Nikki Hikari, Hiroshi Shimizu, Bo Yoshimura. Front row, from left: Aileen Trieu, Megumi Kaminaga, Daniel Xavier, Graig Inaba. Photo by J.K. Yamamoto

A heavy mist welcomed the volunteers who turned out at the National AIDS Memorial Grove volunteer work day sponsored by the San Francisco Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League on Sept. 20.

Volunteers from Nakayoshi, a JACL young professionals' group, and the chapter members joined in to dig over 1,200 holes for one- and five-gallon plants along the southern slope of the grove. Though exhausted, the volunteers were able to smile as they looked at the hillside after all of the plants were in the ground.

“When we return next year, we will all be able to see what a difference our efforts made to this unique and special place in Golden Gate Park,” commented Greg Marutani, chapter board member, who has organized this event for the past 14 years.

He added, “The enthusiasm and energy of the Nakayoshi volunteers made it possible to complete the weekend project and we were able to enjoy the delicious lunch.”

Prior to the lunch, all of the volunteers from various organizations joined hands and formed a friendship circle, taking time to remember those who have been touched by AIDS, including family and friends.

The grove is located on the eastern end of Golden Gate Park, near the tennis courts. For more information, visit www.aidsmemorial.org.