WINDHAM – More than 50 volunteers arrived at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church on River Road in Windham last Saturday and spent more than 12 hours assembling a playground to honor a beloved member of the church and community.

Kelli Hutchison was a silly, fun, energetic 10-year-old who loved her family, had an endless supply of friends, and dreamed of becoming a teacher. Kelli had strong faith in God, a faith her family believes kept her strong until she lost her battle with cancer in February of this year.

“She was an incredibly brave, spiritual, courageous girl,” said St. Ann’s Rev. Timothy Higgins.

In 2008, Kelli was having slight vision problems and her parents made an appointment at an optometrist.

“She was having a little bit of double vision,” said Mike Hutchison, Kelli’s father. “We thought she probably needed glasses.”

Kelli did not need glasses; she needed immediate surgery for a brain tumor. At just 8 years old Kelli would start a harrowing journey, a journey the St. Ann’s and greater Windham community would join her on.

“Mike and Melissa (Hutchison) were willing to invite the congregation in to the sickness,” said Higgins. “The entire community was drawn into the health of this child. She was a part of our family and it became a family illness, it affected the whole community.”

From the moment the Hutchisons were rushed to the hospital they felt the love of the community.

“I called one person at the church on my way to the hospital,” said Kelli’s mother Melissa Hutchison. “By the time we arrived at the church the Reverend had called us and by the time Kelli was transferred to a room he was there.”

The church spread the word throughout the community and within a matter of days there was an organized care system in place for the family. Meals were brought every evening, support was offered, and prayers were said. The support continued over two years, three surgeries and intense chemotherapy and radiation.

“Those 22 months were filled with a lot of mountains to climb,” said Mike Hutchison. “When you are in the moment you don’t realize how much little things help, but the support of the community helped us climb one step at a time.”

Sadly, Kelli lost her battle with cancer on Feb. 16, 2010 but, surprisingly, the support continued. Immediately following her funeral, ideas for a memorial to honor Kelli began to pour into the church’s vestry. One idea was to build a playground in her name. Since Kelli was a dedicated member of the church and loved children, a playground at the church seemed like a fitting tribute.

“The idea for a playground was brought to the vestry, and it was a unanimous yes vote,” said Higgins. “We then donated $5,000 in seed money to get the fund started.”

The initial goal was $30,000, an amount that was raised in less than six months by donations, a 5k run, and a lemonade stand operated by Kelli’s best friend, Celine Baker.

“The congregation and community really rallied for this,” said Philip Baker, head of the playground committee and a close friend of the Hutchisons. “It was truly amazing.”

From 7:30 a.m. until dark on Saturday, the volunteers happily constructed the Kelli Hutchison Memorial Playground to honor the sweet girl with a vibrant smile.

“It was such an honor to be asked to construct a playground in her name,” said Mike Hutchison. “Her faith was important to her and to have them build it where Kelli worshipped was very important to us. I think it helped the children, her friends, express their emotions in a positive way on this project. Kelli made a lot of friends on her swing set and this is such a tribute.”

Fundraising will be ongoing for the fund so they can add landscaping, two infant-accessible Lady Bug seats and for maintenance of the grounds.

Although the playground is on church property, it is open to the public. There will be a dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19, and the Windham community is invited to attend.

“This experience has been incredibly emotional, amazing and therapeutic,” said Higgins. “Kelli’s memory will live on forever. I am sure she is smiling down on us and the children playing on her new playground.”

For more information or to donate, contact Philip Baker at 650-6734 or St. Ann’s Church at 892-8447.

Tracy Littlefield and Irene LeClaire were two of the many volunteers helping to build Kelli’s Playground in Windham on Saturday, helping here to guide the support poles of the new swing set into an anchor hole. (Photo by Rich Obrey)