My name is Nikona, but a lot of others in the community know me as the tiny bartender at Buffalo Wild Wings in Kearney, NE. However, to the kids in the photo, I'm known as mom. Unfortunately, due to a lot of years in the restaurant and bartending industry, life caught up and took a tole; while lifting a keg I ended up tearing my shoulder. In late October/early November, I was told that I tore my rotator cuff in my dominant shoulder, which started to make my job more difficult. Making the decision to have surgery a week before Christmas was a tough one because I didn't have much time to build up a safety net financially. After surgery I was told that not only did I tear my rotator cuff but I also had a torn my bicep tendon, my labrum, and arthritis that was eating at my collar bone, which made my recovery time longer than expected.

Being a single mom is tough as it is, and for those that know me, asking for help is not my strong point. I'm more known for helping others first and putting myself last. Right now, I'm able to work, but it will be months before I can get back to the art of bartending, so I had to resort to hosting and doing what I can. With that being quite a large pay cut, bills have already started to pile up.

My boys and I are grateful for anything and any help that is received and just want to say Thank You in advance.