AUBURN — Camden Goddard, a 9-year-old from Auburn, wasn’t too excited about all the special attention he received lately, but those around him knew he deserved it.

Goddard was recently given the 2024 Citizen Volunteer Award from the Maine Recreation and Park Association, making him the youngest recipient. He’s also the youngest volunteer at Auburn Recreation, where he works in the Unified Sports program, which provides athletic opportunities for youth with intellectual and physical disabilities.

For the past two years, he’s played soccer, basketball and baseball, acting as a mentor and showing participants the ropes in sports they might be just learning.

Sara Parker, a recreation specialist in Auburn, said Goddard’s “encouragement and patience with each player” makes a huge difference in what is for many their first athletic experience.

“Camden is always willing to take an athlete by the hand, coach, encourage, and lead them,” she said. “He is unafraid to speak up for those who cannot and ensures that everyone gets their chance to shine.”

Earlier this month, Goddard was in front of the Auburn City Council, where he was recognized for the award. Mayor Jeff Harmon gave Goddard an Auburn challenge coin, which is given to people who live up to the city’s motto of “no steps backward.”

“We are really appreciative of your volunteer actions,” Harmon said. “You’re really a great example to people in the community.”

Goddard got involved in Unified Sports when his older brother Jackson began participating in the program.

His mother, Megan Goddard, said that when she told Camden she planned to help out, he asked if he could join.

“Every Unified Sport going forward, Camden has always been eager to be involved and help the athletes,” she said.

Asked what drives him, Goddard said, “I like helping people that don’t have the ability like others do.”

“We were pretty proud of him when we heard he had won the award,” Megan Goddard said. “I love when he asks to help and volunteer. It makes me proud that he challenges himself and takes on these opportunities. He can be a nervous kid, and I think these opportunities have really made him step out of his comfort zone and challenge himself.”

Parker said since Goddard started, he hasn’t missed a session. After a successful soccer season, she said the Unified Basketball program/clinic began, where Goddard’s drill station for passing and shooting was a fan favorite.

“He worked with players individually, and in groups, to help them learn dribbling, passing, and proper shooting techniques,” she said, adding that he also assists with the Auburn Little League’s Unified Baseball program, known as “Buddy Ball.”

“He is everyone’s favorite cheerleader, and is a true asset to all of the Unified programs in our community,” Parker said. “We are so lucky to have him on our team.”

Goddard was honored at the annual Maine Recreation and Park Association awards banquet March 18 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Know someone with a deep well of unlimited public spirit? Someone who gives of their time to make their community a better place? Then nominate them for Kudos. Send their name and the place where they do their good deeds to reporter Andrew Rice at arice@sunjournal.com and we’ll do the rest.

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