Richie Lawrence Has the X-Factor: Hard Work Pays Off as Top Fundraiser

Mover over, Monopoly. A new game is coming to the Lawrence household. On Saturday, 10-year-old Richie brought home the Kinect for Xbox 360, his prize for raising the most funds for the Mt. Helix Runnin’ Rebels Pop Warner team.

The youth football Rebels host a fundraiser each year to help meet league expenses. Richie set out to beat $500―the amount he was sure some rich kid’s parent would donate to win the gaming system.

“He rang more doorbells than census takers as he went door-to-door with whomever would take him,” said La Mesa Patch Mom’s Council member and proud father Tony Lawrence. “He emailed and called all of his relatives and friends, and got donations from as far as Portland and Boston.”

For Richie, the experience was very positive.

“Everyone was so nice,” he said. “This lady we saw walking on the street who I didn’t know or even ask gave us $3. So I wrote on the [pledge] sheet: ‘Some old lady―$3.’ ”

He raised $1,150 in cash, and more in gift certificates, Padres tickets and SeaWorld day passes, beating out around 350 other kids. When his name was called as the winner, Richie says he “couldn’t stop smiling.”

“So for the last 24 hours, he has been playing Adventureland―the game that comes with it,” Lawrence said. “[I]t is the only game we have, but we will buy a couple, and Christmas shopping will be easy. Not cheap, sadly. But easy.”