This is how fans always want sports stars to be.

On Saturday, Goffstown’s Babe Ruth League baseball complex burned down, the apparent victim of a lightning strike. It was a major loss. Recovery would take months — assuming the money could be raised. Two days later, the league got a call from Kevin Youkilis’ charity, Youk’s Kids. The charity was ready with a check for $20,000 to pay for lost equipment.

“This fit our mission of kids in need,” Youk’s Kids Co-Vice President Tina Cantu said in a telephone interview with Union Leader reporter Gerry Miles Monday night. “We contacted our 12 board members and we were all unanimous in doing it. When we ran it by Kevin, he was unanimous, too. Youk said ‘go for it.’ ”

She added, “This is about baseball and he being a baseball player and wanting everyone to know that his heart is still in the area even though he’s not physically in the Boston area.”

Red Sox fans never doubted Youk’s heart (even if his new manager did). That is one big reason why so many fans were so upset to see him traded to Chicago this year. He was — and is — the kind of sports star you always hope big-time athletes will be. It is great to see that he has not forgotten Red Sox Nation. And after this donation, it is certain that this little part of Red Sox Nation will never forget him.