Mayor Dyer Gets Roasted to Raise Money

BY DEVIN HEFLIN


ORLANDO, FL.- In an effort to raise money to benefit the youth of the downtown Orlando area called Parramore, Mayor Buddy Dyer hosted and was “roasted”. Dyer held his annual tailgate party to benefit the Parramore Kidz Zone.

The festive event welcomed community organizers, dignitaries and philanthropists to relax, network, laugh and enjoy great food and giveaways. “I’ll be roasted, because it’s for a good cause. This will give hope to and inspire some child to believe that anything is possible”, said Mayor Dyer.

Some brief background information on Parramore Kidz Zone indicates that the program gives children in the Parramore section positive opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have.

Alarming evidence suggests that there are more children living in poverty in Parramore than in any other Orlando neighborhood and the children that live therein are more susceptible to juvenile crime and teenage pregnancy. Ninety-two percent of Parramore’s high school student’s read below grade level.

The City of Orlando’s Parramore Kidz Zone, along with Buddy Dyer are looking to reverse this horrendous cycle and eradicate the stigma which surrounds the downtown area. Through this program, children which many predicted would have a future as an offender now have opportunities.


Since the incorporation of Parramore Kidz Zone, abbreviated as PKZ, in 2006, the program has enrolled 1,500 of the 2,000 kids and in its third year the fundraiser has generated a reported $1 million in net revenues for the program.


The Mayor was welcomed to the stage with boisterous applause and approached the podium to first and foremost, discuss a few new initiatives for the City of Orlando before introducing the entertainment of the night, the SAK Comedy Lab. No aspect of Buddy Dyer’s career, accomplishments, or goals for the city were spared as the group satirized Dyer’s adolescent years to his beginnings in state government.


The audience cackled with laughter as the comedy group held a “Knowledge of the Buddy’s” game show, which quizzed Buddy Dyer on everything related to , you guessed it, Buddy Dyer. The group then unveiled a “Buddy Dyer of the future” which sported what the group liked to call a “Sears suit”. The evening concluded with a special dedication by Jones High School Marching Band.


Though hearts were warm with laughter and attendees were able to feast upon a plethora of deliciously grilled food, Dyer wanted the focus to be placed upon the faces of the future leaders, or as Dyer stated, “Quite possibly the future Mayor of this very city.”