Help Ricky Ramon Get Back on His Feet

My name is Val Cumming, and I’m here to share the story of one of my best friends, Ricky Ramon.

On September 25th, Ricky was with friends in Minneapolis when he suffered a serious injury, breaking two bones in his ankle. He rushed back home to Des Moines for medical care and found out he needed emergency surgery—the first surgery of his life. With the support of his family and friends, Ricky made it through the whirlwind of that week, and since then, he’s been fully committed to his recovery, following every care instruction from his doctors diligently.

However, this injury hasn’t just taken away his mobility—it’s taken away his livelihood. Ricky is a server at RoCA, a popular restaurant on Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines. Many of you might know him from his years working as a server at The Quarry in Mason City before moving to Des Moines in the fall of 2021. Without the ability to walk, serving is not an option for him. And like many in the service industry, Ricky doesn’t have health insurance through his job. He’s always been able to quickly earn money by serving (he is an incredible server!), so he doesn’t have significant savings to fall back on either.

Ricky leads a simple lifestyle—he doesn’t own a car, so he doesn’t have expenses like gas or insurance. He walks to work and enjoys time with friends. But with no income, he’s now struggling to cover his basic living expenses—rent, utilities, phone bills, and other essentials. He’s cut out all unnecessary expenses, but without income, that alone won’t be enough. Right now, his focus is on getting back on his feet, both literally and financially. He’s working with his surgeon and has a plan to get back to work as soon as possible. His next appointment on October 15th will give a clearer picture of when he can return to work. Until then, he needs our help to make it through this difficult time.

Ricky is one of the most generous people I know. Whether it’s sticking up for the underdog, supporting local events, or making sure everyone has a blast at a party, his generosity knows no bounds. He’s an advocate for equality and has been a best friend to many. In fact, in the fall of 2022, I broke my foot, and Ricky didn’t hesitate—he came over to cook, clean, and help me through recovery. Then, believe it or not, the following fall, I broke my other foot, and once again, he was right there, helping me all over again. We’ve joked that we take “fall” a little too literally! But that’s just who Ricky is—someone who supports his friends and community without hesitation. Now, it’s time for us, his Mason City, Des Moines, and beyond family, to show up for him.

I’m asking you, as his friend, to consider helping Ricky during this time of need. If you’ve ever been served by him and experienced his signature hospitality, consider donating what you would generously tip him for an amazing meal. Every little bit will help him cover his basic living expenses while he focuses on healing. Ricky has given so much to those around him, and now it’s our turn to give back.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support!