November 22, 2015

Subterfuge can have its rewards – especially in the hands of a couple of wily Chester County sheriffs.

Many in the audience of about 250 were familiar with what has become a far-reaching story: A 9-year-old West Chester boy whose heart-tugging effort to win a hunting trip with the Chester County Sheriff contained a geography error that could have – but didn’t – doom his contest entry.

But even those who knew about the magical odyssey that began a year ago were not prepared for the sheriffs’ latest deception, a plot that required multiple co-conspirators. Chief among them were the organizers of the Young Mentoring Partnership’s Thank You Dinner, which was held on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Desmond Hotel.

Mark Mintzer, executive director of the Youth Mentoring Partnership, explained that the event pays tribute to people who have make a profound difference in the community by exuding “an aura of positivity and hope.” This year’s honorees were Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh and Brad Zerr, a longtime mentor at the Upper Main Line YMCA and Paoli Hospital.

In introducing Welsh, Mintzer applauded her ground-breaking political career, including leadership stints in the National Sheriffs’ Association, and her position on the boards of both the Family Academy Charter School and the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. Then he played a segment from the Meredith Vieira Show, pointing out that the saga of Alex Collins, who is now 10 and was seated next to Welsh, poignantly demonstrates the power of mentoring.

On the other side of the fifth-grader was his mother, Leslie Collins, who attended the taping of the show in New York in January. She whispered that she still gets teary when she watches it.

The show’s producers had contacted Welsh after she had made national headlines for ensuring that Alex got his wish. Welsh had mentored Alex Underwood, a first-term sheriff from Chester County, South Carolina, at the National Sheriffs’ Institute in Colorado several months earlier. So when she called and told Underwood about the boy’s poignant but misdirected contest application, they hatched a plan to send the boy to South Carolina, initiating an enduring bond.

The Meredith Vieira Show spotlighted the relationship by staging a surprise reunion between the boy and Underwood that left few dry eyes in the room. On Thursday, the Youth Mentoring Partnership played a role in a similar re-unification.

“We thought it was a great idea and are so glad it worked out,” said Laura Wagoner, who chaired the event.

As Underwood – now known as “Big A” to avoid confusion over the shared first name – was being discussed, he strode into the room and approached “Little A,” whose eyes widened in amazement. The boy turned to his mother – “So you knew?” he asked incredulously – before getting a bear hug from Underwood and enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Harry McKinney, Welsh’s significant other, said keeping this secret was more difficult than the previous ones because he and Welsh have so much contact with the boy. For example, the night before, he and Welsh had gone out to dinner with Underwood, who had just arrived from South Carolina. When McKinney’s cellphone rang, he knew Alex wanted to Facetime.

“I had to quickly walk into another room so there was no chance Little A would see Big A in the background,” McKinney said.

Little A had already been scheduled to visit the Underwoods for 10 days over Thanksgiving, but he thought he was going by himself. He was delighted to learn on Thursday night that McKinney had changed his departing flight so that he could travel with Underwood.

The trip coincides with Underwood’s annual youth hunt for Chester County, S.C., kids. Little A will take part in the outing he had been seeking when he wrote the letter that prompted his first hunting and fishing odyssey in January.

Since that time, Big A and Little A have kept in touch. The boy visited the Underwoods in the spring, and Big A surprised him for his birthday at the National Sheriffs Association Conference in Baltimore this past summer.

Addressing the crowd at the awards celebration, Welsh expressed gratitude to McKinney; her family, which includes four children, nine grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren; her committed staff; Underwood; “and, of course our boy Alex, who wiggled his way into the hearts of two sheriffs and has become part of our families.”

Welsh, a Pennsbury resident, said the rewards of mentoring far exceed the time demands. “I am truly blessed because of all of you,” she said. “You have given me so many opportunities to make a difference. We know that opportunities are everywhere to help, coach, guide, assist, and mentor. We just need to recognize those moments, and respond.”

Some outcomes can’t be predicted, she said. “Sheriff Underwood and I did not know we were destined to become part of a much bigger life event that would touch so many – and change the life of a wonderful little boy named Alex,” she said.

Mintzer would agree. He said in the past six months the Youth Mentoring Partnership has gone from 150 to almost 500 mentees. He said volunteers and donors are always needed and appreciated, and the audience heard another testimonial from Justin Fregeau, who spoke eloquently about the positive impact the mentorship program had on him.

Leslie Collins said she still couldn’t believe her son’s good fortune to be surrounded by so many caring role models. Her son said that one of the things that he’s learned from the sheriffs is the importance of “paying it forward” and helping others.

In the meantime, Little A is fervently hoping to bag that elusive deer during this trip. If he does? “We just might need another plane ticket for the deer,” Underwood said with a big smile.

For more information on the Youth Mentoring Partnership, visit www.youthmp.org.