FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WWLP) - The New England Patriots have announced Mary Chin as the Patriots 2024 'Inspire Change Changemaker,' an award given annually by each NFL team to a local leader in the community. The Patriots announced Chin as their nominee in recognition of her social justice work as the executive director of the Asian American Civic Association (AACA) in Boston and for her nearly five decades of social work in the Boston area. Chin has contributed to the AACA through the further development of its social service programs, workforce training, after-school center, and the addition of the Mandarin immersion childcare center. Northampton to host 40th annual ‘First Night’ celebration The AACA, which was founded in 1967, aims to assist and empower Asian-American immigrants and low-income families to persevere and succeed. In addition to Chin's work with the AACA, she has served as a board member at the Commonwealth's Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission. Chin was awarded a citation for her service to the state of Massachusetts by Governor Charlie Baker in 2017. The Patriots Inspire Change game was held on December 28 and Chin was recognized during the game. She will receive a donation of $10,000 from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to the AACA. The Inspire Change initiative recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership within their community through one of the four pillars: education, economic advancement, police-community relations, or criminal justice reform. For more information on the award, visit nfl.com/changemakers. Local News Headlines West Springfield Department of Public Works holds public hearing to discuss improvements to Piper Road Belchertown fire department puts out structure fire on Blossom Lane Route 202 in Granby closed due to vehicle crash and pole damage New England Patriots announce 2024 ‘Inspire Change Changemaker’ nominee WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.