The vegetables and flowers of Lakeside’s special garden will continue to grow, and along with it, the memory of a special boy who blessed those who were fortunate to know him.
Labor of Love Community Garden commemorated the life of Ryan Carter by naming the place where for children will tend to flowers, vegetables and monarch butterflies for years to come.
Carter was slain in January 2012 when he was fatally stabbed defending another child in a quite neighborhood of El Cajon.
The vegetables and flowers of Lakeside’s special garden will continue to grow, and along with it, the memory of a special boy who blessed those who were fortunate to know him.
Labor of Love Community Garden commemorated the life of Ryan Carter by naming the place where for children will tend to flowers, vegetables and monarch butterflies for years to come.
Carter was slain in January 2012 when he was fatally stabbed defending another child in a quite neighborhood of El Cajon.
Friends and family gathered Saturday, August 24 to remember the bright, giving boy that was taken too soon. Attended gathered among the rows of foliage and shared special moments that they will forever remember.
Regina Hoffman, principal of Foothills Christian School, said she will never forger the cheer that Carter brought to everyone he met.
“I think every one would say that Ryan had amazing character,” she said. “His smile, his humor was a blessing to us all. Everyday he brought life into his classroom, to his school, everywhere he went. When he gave his life for his friend, he did something that no one of us would ever do, and could ever imagine. We know that Ryan wouldn’t come back if he could. He’s in a beautiful place and is shinning light upon us with his smile.”
His schoolteacher, Crissi Lee, paid homage by telling a story of the time she took her class on a walking field trip to the Lakeside Library. Students brought along their backpacks to eat lunch in the park and Carter took it upon himself to carry the backpacks of his friends, one on his front and back and one on each shoulder. Lee said that was nothing out of the ordinary for Carter.
“Ryan carried his friend’s backpacks with a huge smile because that was his personality,” she said. “He just wanted to serve, his friend, his mom and dad, everyone. He was so confident in the love (his friends and family) had for him and it was evident in the way he loved others. He just wanted to do things for other people all the time. That was our Ryan.”
The Ryan Carter Memorial Garden occupies a small portion of the Labor of Love Community Garden in square footage but a vast amount in the hearts of its volunteers. Labor of Love is run completely on donations from the community and the help of volunteers. They spend hours of their personal time tending to the rows of seasonal delicacies like strawberries, peas, squash, bell peppers and pumpkins.
Organizers are in the works of creating an official Monarch Butterfly way station to cultivate and preserve the migration of these beautiful creatures. Labor of Love has more than 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables harvested on a biweekly basis. In the 14 months since its inception, they have donated more than 2000 pounds of organic and heirloom produce to the East County Food Bank and other organizations to distribute to the needy families of East County.
Organizer Lil Keiser said she hopes that this garden can help curb child hunger becoming increasingly apparent in their neighborhoods.
“We’re in the planning phase of more gardens in our neighboring schools,” she said. “This is important with one in seven children going to bed hungry and that’s a lot right here in our town.”
Labor of Love coordinators are seeking volunteers to help out with its expanding operations.
