When Tom and Melinda Hines moved to Broomall in 2014, they weren’t necessarily looking for Marple. But they were looking for home. At the time, they had just welcomed their first son and wanted a place to grow their family—a town with strong schools, safe streets and a sense of belonging. They found that, and more, in a quiet corner of the Russell section of Broomall. “The house had an in-law suite, perfect for our growing needs, and it just felt right,” said Melinda.
Melinda grew up in Bryn Mawr with her younger sister, Kerry, and older brother, Christopher. She went to Coopertown Elementary and Haverford High School, then moved to New York City to study social work at NYU. Her professional career began at Rosemont College as the Assistant Director of Residence Life—mentoring student leaders, building community from the ground up and learning how to hold space for people navigating hard things. “That job taught me how to lead, how to care deeply without burning out and how to manage chaos with humor and grace,” she explained.
After that, Melinda joined Delaware County Community College (DCCC) as an academic advisor, where she spent several years helping students find their paths, set goals and believe in their own potential. “That work deepened my commitment to educational access and showed me just how transformative the community college can be for people at all stages of life,” she added.
Melinda is now the Director of the Workforce Entry Center at DCCC, where she leads operations at the PA CareerLink on campus. “My job is about helping people connect the dots between where they are and where they want to go,” she said. Whether it’s someone reentering the workforce after a setback or someone ready to take the leap into a new career, she is there to help them find a path forward. “Workforce development is so satisfying because it’s immediate and impactful, on more than just a personal level. It means helping real people, in my own community, find work they’re proud of, support their families and build new futures. We do it so well, and I’m endlessly proud to be part of it!”
For Melinda, spare time is rare, but she’s slowly learning to make space for the things that ground her. “I love being in nature. I’ve been trying to grow a garden that’s part pollinator haven, part therapy. I also love art and music, drawing with my kids, playing vinyl while I cook or sneaking off with Tom to see a live show,” she said.
Tom is a King of Prussia native. He grew up with his two younger sisters, Krissy and Anne, and graduated from Archbishop John Carroll. After high school, he earned his Associate’s Degree from DCCC. Today, he’s an Electronic Repair Supervisor at CTDI in West Chester. “I get to solve problems and leverage my natural tech instincts in a positive environment,” he said. Looking ahead, Tom wants to continue to grow at CTDI and build an investment portfolio for long-term stability. In his free time, Tom loves playing guitar, listening to rock and metal, recording original music and making the best concert playlists.
Tom and Melinda met in high school through a shared group of friends. It started as an easy friendship of late-night phone calls, shared playlists on long drives in the middle of the night and a quiet understanding that they were both a little dark, a little weird and somehow made perfect sense together. “We bonded over music early on, and that’s still one of our deepest connections – live shows, loud songs and music that says what words can’t,” Melinda explained. “Over time, our friendship deepened into something more, and before we knew it, we were building a life together,” added Tom. “We’ve truly grown up together, through every phase and challenge. There’s something sacred about being loved by someone who’s seen every version of you and chooses you still.”
On October 13, 2012, Melinda and Tom were married in a moody, magical ceremony that featured pumpkins, bats and Dio’s Rainbow in the Dark. “No white gowns or stiff traditions—just love, loud music and a lot of laughter,” Melinda said. After the wedding, life moved fast for the newlyweds: first a house, then babies, then everything else. “It didn’t leave time for a honeymoon, but we still dream of that someday,” she added. “Maybe a trip to Iceland!”
Before settling in Broomall, Melinda and Tom briefly lived in Upper Darby, a stepping-stone before they found their forever home here. “We knew we wanted to give our new baby the same strong start we had growing up,” Tom said. “The school district and sense of community sealed the deal. The home’s in-law suite made sense for where we were in life, and my mom moved in with us not long after,” explained Melinda. “That space has always been special. Now, years later, my sister lives in the in-law suite with her dog, Ziggy Stardust, and it still feels like a home that wraps its arms around the people we love.”
Their neighborhood—a tucked-away part of Broomall—is a great place for their kids, Erik, Oskar and Owen. It’s the kind of block where kids play Ghost in the Graveyard and bikes pile up in driveways. “With our neighbors, it’s more than just saying ‘let us know if you need anything,’ said Melinda. “They show up. It’s the village that helped raise our family.”
The Hines’ oldest son Erik, is twelve and headed to 7th grade at Paxon Hollow Middle School. Thoughtful, creative and deeply principled, Erik has a strong sense of right and wrong, and a quiet confidence that shines in how he treats others – holding doors, lending a hand, always showing up with quiet kindness. His parents said he’s passionate about military history, Dungeons & Dragons and Star Wars, and spends hours building intricate Lego creations, robots and woodworking projects. “Erik is a respectful, imaginative kid who blends creativity with craftsmanship and cares deeply about the world around him,” Tom and Melinda said.
Eleven-year-old younger brother Oskar will be in the 6th grade at Paxon Hollow this year. “Oskar is sharp, adventurous and absolutely hilarious,” said Melinda. “He’s a brilliant thinker with a deep well of curiosity.” Oskar loves chess, puzzles and cracking jokes. He has a big imagination and an even bigger heart, balancing his love of logic with a wild, fearless spirit. “Oskar brings energy, insight and laughter wherever he goes,” his parents said proudly.
Owen, the youngest Hines brother, is headed to fourth grade at Russell Elementary. Melinda and Tom said that nine-year- old Owen is a bright, loving soul with a contagious joy for life. He’s a social butterfly who makes friends easily and is always ready with a smile or a kind word. Strong and athletic with a big heart, he loves animals, Pokémon and anything creative, especially drawing, reading and exploring outside. “Owen is the kind of kid who lights up a room and reminds everyone to look for the good in the world,” said his mom.
The Hines family also shares their home with two cats, Twix and Kit Kat, and Melinda’s sister’s dog, Ziggy Stardust, lives in their in-law suite downstairs. “It’s a lively, loving little ecosystem,” said Melinda.
Beyond Melinda and Tom’s jobs and daily routines, what has shaped them the most is a deep involvement in Scouting. They first joined Scouts for the same reason as many families do, for a bit of structure and a bit of adventure. “What we found was far more than weekend campouts and pinewood derbies (though we love those too),” they said. “We found a community. A tribe. A framework for raising kids who are kind, curious and resilient.”
For several years, Melinda served as Cubmaster of Marple Pack 151. While Tom doesn’t officially wear a scout uniform, he’s the go-to support crew for setting up, hauling gear and keeping projects grounded and fun.
Erik and Oskar have completed every rank in Cub Scouts and are now thriving in Scouts BSA with troop 151, climbing the ranks, learning leadership and discovering their own strengths. “Scouting has given our family a shared sense of purpose, adventure and responsibility. We are building char-
acter, serving others and raising kids who understand how to lead with compassion.”Scouting was already a vital part of the Hines family’s life when Melinda was diagnosed with late-stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. Melinda said that during that time, parenting, working and leading while undergoing chemo was indescribably hard, but through it all, their community showed up. “Neighbors mowed our lawn, dropped off dinners and made sure our boys got to school or a scout meeting,” Melinda recalled. “Our friends sat with me through treatments, played with our kids and brought laughter into the hardest moments. I wasn’t alone. We weren’t alone.”
Although going through treatment while parenting and working (and leading a Cub Scout pack) was brutally hard, Melinda said that it also revealed a deeper strength in her and in their family. “My boys learned to be brave and kind, in quiet, everyday ways. We all did,” she said.
Today, Melinda said that she carries that experience with her into everything she does, at work, at home and at scout meetings. “I try to lead with grace and show up fully, even when things aren’t perfect,” she said.
The Hines family has a motto: Show up. Give back. Keep going. “It’s how we live, how we love and how we lead,” said Melinda. Whether it’s parenting, volunteering, surviving or just making it through another Monday, their family doesn’t aim for perfection—they aim for presence. “Some days we’re thriving; others, we’re just hanging on. But we try to meet each moment with honesty, heart and humor,” they said.
We thank the Hines family for sharing their story. And to our
friends and neighbors, Melinda and Tom wanted to share a
special message: To the families considering Scouts—join us.
If you’ve ever thought about joining Scouts, this is your sign.
Life gets busy, but it’s the people around us who make all
the difference. Whether it’s sharing a meal, lending a hand or
cheering someone on, we’ve learned that small kindnesses can
carry you through even the hardest seasons. Nowhere have we
seen that more clearly than through Scouting. We joined Scouts
looking for structure and adventure, and found so much more.
It became a place where our boys could build confidence, make
real friendships and learn life skills that go far beyond a hand-
book. It’s given them a sense of belonging and purpose. And
honestly? It’s given that to us, too. Scouting isn’t just about
camping and s’mores (though we love those). It’s about raising
kids who are curious, kind and grounded. Kids who know how
to try new things, work as a team, fail sometimes and keep
going. It’s about giving them a moral compass that sticks –
even when life gets hard. Whether your child is shy or bold,
silly or serious, there’s a place for them here. And there’s a place
for you, too. You don’t need to be a wilderness expert or a
Scout alum. You just have to care. The rest? We figure it out
together. This fall is the perfect time to give it a try. Come to
a meeting. Ask questions. Let your child explore something
new. You might be surprised by how much they grow and how
much you enjoy the journey, too. We’re not just raising kids
who can build a fire. We’re raising young people who can listen
to their gut, take care of others and stand up for what’s right.That’s what Scouting has taught us. That’s what our neighbor-
hood lives out every day. And that’s the kind of community
we’re proud to help build.
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community?
Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.