Reprinted from The Naples Daily News
January 21, 2004

The Ricky King Children’s Fund will benefit by more than $2,300, thanks to the sponsors of the 2003 Naples Bay Christmas Boat Parade. Checks totaling $2,347 were presented to the fund Tuesday night during the January meeting of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County. A spokesman for the association said the charity selected for the 2003 boat parade proceeds is The Ricky King Children’s Fund, the same beneficiary of the 2002 boat parade. The Ricky King Children’s Fund was set up by the community and late radio personality Rich King after his son, Ricky, died of Reye’s Syndrome in 1977 when he was 4 years old. The fund is dedicated to helping improve the quality of health care for Southwest Florida children, often by providing financial assistance to both the youngsters and their families. While there is no formal fee for participating in the parade, boaters are asked to make donations that are then given to a charity of choice, the Marine Industries Association spokesman said. The 2003 boat parade, held Dec. 13 between Naples City Dock and Bayview Park, was called “A Tinsel Town Christmas.”At the association’s Tuesday night meeting, held at R.J. Mackies Restaurant on Goodlette-Frank Road, plaques were presented to 2003 boat parade winners. They are:— Overall winner, Mick Anderson, boat name Biking on the Bay.— Powerboat winner up to 30 feet, Jason Helmer, boat name The Regal.— Powerboat winners 31 feet to 40 feet, tie between Kevin Burns, boat name Auspicious, and the Von Liebigs, boat name Mariposa.

  • Powerboat winner 41 feet and longer, Kevin Thomas, boat name Shazam.
  • Sailboat winner up to 35 feet, Bill Irwin, boat name Knot Worried.
  • Sailboat winner 36 feet and longer, Dave Hutchinson and Debbie Zeller, boat name Good Life.
  • Commercial winner up to 40 feet, Mick Anderson, boat name Just Biking on the Bay.
  • Commercial winner 41 feet and over, MarineMax, boat name Leading Lady.