The positive impact a community can have on one of its own can be as permanent as a tattoo.
For more than 100 people Sunday, the two were one and the same.
Three Mid-Missouri tattoo parlors partnered up for a flash tattoo sale Sunday, all the proceeds of which went to support Bryce Hickman, a father of four from Taos who was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer earlier this month.
The buzz of tattoo guns and conversation filled The Nook tattoo parlor as "Lithium" by Nirvana carried on in the background. Outside, a line was forming around heaters and the sign up sheet to get inked.
Shellana Hickman, Bryce's wife, said more than 100 people were signed up for tattoos by 10 a.m. Sunday. By 11:30 a.m., two of the four tattoo artists were completely booked with 30-minute appointments.
"I've been more than blessed," Bryce said. "It's amazing, the turnout."
Bryce said he didn't know half the people getting tattoos to support his benefit Sunday or half the artists giving them.
"It's just great. I can't express enough gratitude. It's kind of a surreal feeling," he added.
The sale was hosted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at The Nook on Madison Street in Jefferson City, part of which was closed as a cookout and line formed outside the door. Those in line could choose from 10 designs, each about two inches wide and two inches long, for $60. The proceeds went directly to the Hickman family and artists worked for tips only.
Jennifer Winkleman, a friend of the Hickmans that helped organize the benefit, said the event "just blew up" with interest.
"I think it's awesome," she said of the tattoo community rallying around the Hickmans. "It's awesome that people would do that for people. It shows there are good people in the world."
"They all came together for a guy who doesn't even have tattoos," she joked.
Bryce said while he doesn't have tattoos, "all my buddies basically do." He's been wanting to get in the chair for some time, he said, but just never has. Doctors told him he can't as he undergoes treatment.
Winkleman said the idea for the benefit came from Eric Williams, a tattoo artist and the owner of Fifth Element. Williams was the one who gathered tattoo artists from The Art House in Linn, the Nook in Jefferson City and his shop, Fifth Element, in Vienna.
Williams said he wanted to use his tattooing skills to support a long-time friend. He said he knew it would be a popular deal after posting about it on social media.
"Bryce is a very good friend of mine, you know, we've known each other since high school," he said. "It's such a tragic thing."
Bryce was diagnosed with stage Renal Cell Carcinoma on Jan. 6. The cancer has spread to his spleen and lymph nodes, and he's not eligible for chemotherapy or surgery, according to the GoFundMe page organized on his behalf.
The 39-year-old said cancer wasn't on his mind at all. He described his diagnosis and ensuing treatment as a "rollercoaster" that's made him think more about life, his family and friends.
"It's an unexpected slap in the face," Shellana, his wife, said.
Winkleman said Bryce was seemingly healthy before the diagnosis and was trying to get a new business off the ground. To save costs, he doesn't have health insurance, putting treatment and medical costs squarely on his shoulders.
Bryce, who is out of work as he receives treatment, said the funds raised Sunday will be used to pay medical and other bills, buy groceries and send his kids to school.
Shellana said her husband's condition depends on the day. Some days are up; others are down. She said he's hanging in there as she tries to keep his spirits up.
"This day is something he needed," she said. "Sitting at home not doing anything -- this is going to be really good for his spirits."
"We are just absolutely blown away," Shellana continued. "We have so much support we're honestly speechless at all the support that we've gotten. We have the best support system -- so many people, out of the kindness of their heart, doing so much for our family. It's meant a lot."
Kylene Jackson, of Wardsville, was among those getting a tattoo to support Bryce Sunday. She chose a mountain range on her forearm.
Jackson, who already had half a dozen tattoos, said the benefit was a different way to raise money for her friends in need, and she was happy to participate.
"It's just so unique to bring out people that may not be able to make an appointment for a tattoo, but it's also a great cause to help a couple who deserve it," she said.
Ethan Toebben, Shellana's cousin, got his first tattoo Sunday to support the benefit. It's a mountain range above his knee.
"It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would; that's for sure," he said, adding: "I've wanted one for a while. I just didn't know what would be the right thing to do. And this turned out to be the right thing to do."
An initial goal was for the benefit to raise $3,000 for the Hickmans. With more than 100 signed up before the event started, the tattoo artists were expecting to reach at least double their goal.
Fifth Element is hosting a second day of tattoos to support the Hickmans Feb. 12 at its shop in Vienna. People were signing up for those slots Sunday as well.
The family is also raising funds through GoFundMe. More than 330 donors have kicked in $46,647 as of Sunday afternoon.
"I'm super grateful for everybody, and it's amazing," Bryce said, blinking back tears. "It's emotional."
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Friends and family surround Bryce Hickman (back row, second to left) at The Nook Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. The tattoo parlor was filled most of the day as it hosted a benefit to support Hickman, who was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer earlier this month.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Jennifer Winkleman gives a mountain range tattoo to Kylene Jackson Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at The Nook during a benefit to support Bryce Hickman, who was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer earlier this month. Winkleman and Jackson are friends with Hickman and said they were happy to contribute to his benefit.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Eric Williams, owner of Fifth Element Tattoo in Vienna, sits back to review the flower tattoo he gave Bailey Alexander Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at The Nook. Williams helped organize a benefit at The Nook, offering quick tattoos and giving the proceeds away to high school friend Bryce Hickman, who was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer earlier this month.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Tattoo artists at The Nook on Madison Street give tattoos Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, during a benefit to support Bryce Hickman, who was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer earlier this month. The benefit brought tattoo artists from three Mid-Missouri shops to The Nook for the day.
Photo courtesy of Shellana Hickman: Ethan Toebben gives a thumbs up as he receives his first tattoo Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, during a benefit to support his cousin, Bryce Hickman, at The Nook. Toebben chose a mountain range from a page of 10 designs.