Plymouth Rallies For Police Chief And School Teacher Recovering From Sudden Illnesses

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH

Above, people in Plymouth gathered Sunday to support their police chief and a local teacher who are both recovering from neurological events. Paula Tracy photo

PLYMOUTH, NH — The Plymouth area community came together Sunday to raise funds for Plymouth Police Chief Alex Hutchins and his neighbor, elementary school teacher Sarah Sanborn, who coincidentally both suffered severe neurological events about a month ago.

The two are in various stages of recovery.

The hope of organizers is that this is the first of many efforts for their families through this difficult time and to help with any financial and emotional support they need.

The event on the Town Common included live music in the bandstand and on the Main Street, lots of kids games, face painting and raffles with all proceeds going directly to the two families to help with their expenses.

But it will take more work and financial help to care for the two and their families, organizers acknowledged.

An ongoing effort will include "Plymouth Strong" wrist bands which will be available at Cafe Monte Alto and Chase Street Market with a suggested donation of $5.

Cathy Bentwood, a retired nurse and a well known do-gooder in Plymouth, who has led many efforts to help veterans and families in need, has suggested that the group go for a big goal of $100,000 to be raised by next Valentine's Day, and include a thermometer in the Town Common to let people know how the effort is going.

Bobby Graves, the new owner of Cafe Monte Alto and Chase Street Market on Main Street organized the event and said the goal was simply to show "community support."

Both the police chief and teacher began treatment at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center about the same time.

Chief Hutchins suffered a severe traumatic neurologic event Aug. 24. He began in Plymouth as a part-time officer in 2001, according to the town's website. He moved through the ranks and in 2021 was named chief.

Sanborn is a Plymouth Elementary School educator teaching Grade 5.

A Facebook page set up to support the two is at https://www.facebook.com/TownofPlymouthNH/photos/please-keep-chief-hutchins-and-our-beloved-pes-teacher-sarah-sanborn-in-our-pray/746455424830686/

While the two began as neighbors and also in the neurology ward at DHMC, Sarah Sanborn is now in rehabilitation treatment in Boston.

The fundraising effort was launched by Graves and his family, newcomers to the business community in Plymouth.

Graves said he and his wife Beth, moved to Plymouth during COVID-19 and were interested in a community-based business and found they were able to buy the two businesses which are a "community hub."

"It was a no-brainer for us...(N)ow we have an amazing opportunity to give back," he said.

He said he knew Chief Hutchins but did not know Sanborn before she became ill.

Warren Graves, their young son, was quick to point out to a reporter that this event was to support "a teacher" and also his father noted that Chief Hutchins is "a great guy."

Hutchins suffered a stroke and is in his 40s. His neighbor Sanborn had a brain aneurysm and is now at Spaulding Rehab.

Bentwood said both individuals will appreciate community support for the long-term as they work to return home.

"So everything being raised is being divided between the two," Bentwood said.

The event was largely a kid fun run with children running around and families in lawn chairs enjoying the beautiful fall day and the music from the bandstand.

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.