For the seventh year, the Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy Scouts of America will recognize local veterans and other community members outside of Scouting at the Annual Hometown Heroes Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 7 at the La Cañada Country Club.

The annual Hometown Heroes Dinner is a chance for the Verdugo Hills Council to honor those who contribute to the communities it serves. In 2017, the honorees are Mickey DePalo, Robin Goldsworthy, Michele Gonzalez and David Worley.

Mickey DePalo, one of the 2017 honorees, is a Vietnam War veteran who served in the Army as a military policeman. He currently serves as the chairman of the City of Burbank Veterans Committee and has done so for 29 years.

Robin Goldsworthy is the founder and publisher of the Crescenta Valley Weekly, a local newspaper founded in 2009. She is also the president of Prom Plus, which provides safe activities for Crescenta Valley High School students after their prom.

Michele Gonzalez has served the Glendale Police Dept. for more than 25 years. She currently works with Glendale High School as a school resource officer. She is also the Explorer coordinator for the Teen Academy, where she works with the Verdugo Hills Council to provide career training programs for teens interested in police work.

Lt. Col. David Worley served in the Air Force for over 27 years and received numerous decorations including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring, he became the senior aerospace science instructor at Crescenta Valley High School and the administrator for the high school’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program (JROTC).

Each year, the Verdugo Hills Council seeks out businesses and individuals to sponsor the event at various levels and all are invited to attend the dinner. Tickets are $60, and there are packages available for groups or companies. To make reservations, contact the Verdugo Hills Council at (818) 243-6282 or email Dede.Mueller@Scouting.org.