Every Wednesday, Rob Falcone loads up bread and baked goods from the Lancaster County Farmers Market at 389 West Lancaster Ave. in Wayne and drives them to Surrey Services for Seniors in Broomall, where members grab what they want and take leftovers home. It's one piece of a family volunteer operation that now puts three retired professionals inside the nonprofit's senior center multiple days a week.
Rob, a retired financial and investment analyst at PNC Bank, is the latest recruit. His wife Pat Falcone started the chain in the summer of 2024, when she ran into friend Debbie Levin, a Surrey Ambassador, shortly after retiring as a recovery room nurse at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Levin invited her to visit the Broomall center on Parkway Drive, and Pat filled out a volunteer application on the spot, according to a profile published Aug. 14 on Surrey's website.
Pat's enthusiasm pulled in her sister, Joanna "JoJo" Leutner, also a retired ICU/CCU nurse from the same hospital. Every Thursday the sisters serve lunch and wash dishes in the café for about 50 clients, then lead crossword puzzle and adult coloring sessions. They helped organize Surrey Broomall's annual indoor yard sale in October, which raised close to $2,000.
Rob joined about a year ago after watching his wife and sister-in-law come home energized.
In the café he wears Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies caps to spark conversation with veterans who swap stories about their Korean and Vietnam War service. After lunch cleanup, many of the group head next door for musical bingo.
"Every time I have volunteered at Surrey, I feel as if I've done something good," Pat Falcone said in the profile. "I've missed taking care of people and this work has filled that void."
The couple also attends a "Return to Learn" program for adults 55 and older at Delaware County Community College, where they spread the word about Surrey to people who had never heard of it. Rob recalled one woman in her 80s telling him she simply wanted a place to sit and socialize.
Rob has signed on to help fundraise for Surrey's planned new location in Media, a role similar to one he held with the South Marple Township Little League, where he served as coach, manager and treasurer. Broomall center director Lena McWilliams oversees the Parkway Drive location where all three family members volunteer.
Surrey Services for Seniors operates centers in Broomall, Bryn Mawr, Devon and Media across Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. The organization was founded nearly 45 years ago by Jeanne LaRouche, who organized volunteer drivers from her attic. Residents interested in volunteering can apply at surreyservices.org/volunteer or call 610-647-6404. The Lancaster County Farmers Market in Wayne is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
