Community Service

Community service is very important to Peter because of his love for country and community. Moreover, he thinks that we are a great country that needs to overcome internal divisions. These divisions concern Palivos because he states, " We all need to work and contribute so we can make America better, stronger and fairer. America is a great country that should unite us. Unfortunately, there are a few extremists that want to divide us. So, we must focus on the many things which unite us and not the few things that divide us."

Palivos adds, “When I was in college I would sit with all kinds of students because I like all people. Some of my closest friends were black and Jews. One day I was asked by another classmate, “What are you doing sitting with these Jews and blacks?” and I responded "these are my friends and I stand with my friends. Their color, ethnicity or religion is irrelevant to me. They are good people, so I stand with them."" 

Many years later Palivos marched for civil rights with black leaders and jewish leaders.

In 1978, Nazis attempted to hold a march in Skokie, Illinois. One of six residents in Skokie was a Holocaust survivor. Palivos always hated bullies and racism. So, he went to Skokie and stood with the Jewish Community. The united community prevented the Nazi march from taking place. From that experience Palivos learned that good wins over evil when good people stand up against evil.

From 1992-1996 Palivos served as a United States Federal Judicial Commissioner. His responsibilities included vetting and recommending candidates to become US Attorneys, US Marshalls and US Federal Judges.

Thirty years later on October 27, 2018 Palivos was horrified to learn that eleven innocent and elderly people were killed while praying in a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Palivos says " this was a horrific massacre because there is nothing more sacred than for people to be able to practice their faith". That horrific event troubled Palivos so much he joined the Jewish Federation of Nevada and travelled to Carson City, Nevada to lobby for the passage of tough hate crimes, which would protect all people under similar circumstances. When asked about this event, Palivos stated " as citizens of this great country we have to be empathic to our fellow citizens that are wrongfully attacked. At that moment I felt Jewish because our Jewish brothers and sisters were attacked. So, I travelled to Carson City and lobbied leaders to strengthen hate crime legislation and we succeeded."

In December, 2019 Palivos received a call from his friend Pastor Mario Rodriguez, who ran the C3 Christian Church that has over 3,000 members in one of Las Vegas' poor neighborhoods. Pastor Mario told Palivos that he was thinking about canceling the December 23 Christmas Party for over 1,000 children because he was having trouble raising the needed funds. Palivos told Pastor Mario about his humble beginnings and the story of the train set he never played with. He then told Pastor Mario " Please buy 1,000 toys for all of the children and I will cover all of the costs because all kids should have Christmas toys". The toys were purchased, and 1,000 poor children had a nice Christmas because each of them was able to choose the toy they wanted.

During the 2020- 2021 Covid epidemic, Palivos and the veteran organizations he leads paid and served over 10,000 free lunches to first responders, police, fire and the poor. Palivos states "we all have a moral and ethical duty to help and support others, especially the people that risk their lives to keep our country safe."

Currently Palivos is Chairman of Voice of the Veteran, which is Nevada's largest veteran organization with 25,000 members. Under his leadership, Voice of the Veteran has been able to obtain and distribute over $2,000,000 in pro bono disability benefits for veterans. Then on March 12, 2022, it co-sponsored with City Serve a $1,800,000 free give away of home furniture and goods to over 1,000 veterans and service members. This was the largest veteran event in Nevada's history.  

As Palivos contemplates retirement, his goal is to do more for the veterans, police, fire, teachers and the poor. He states " we need to do more for these people and our institutions. We are a great nation because we have strong institutions. So, we all have to do more to protect and support our institutions."

Currently, Palivos spends about 50% of his time on philanthropic work. The balance of his time is spent practicing law with his partner and daughter, Attorney Anastasia Palivos. 

For his 40 years of community service, Palivos has been recognized by US President Clinton, The US Congress, The States of Illinois and Nevada, The City of Las Vegas, Nevada National Guard General Armstrong, The Armed Forces Chamber of Commerce, The Veterans Media Group and the Military Order of the Purple Hearts Award.