Adam Ely, founder of Hard Luck Automotive, talked about the changes and challenges facing his growing organization.The Rotary Club of Chickasha met July 27, 2023. The club sang "God Bless America".
President Jim Cowan announced that the club's application for a district grant has been approved. The funding will be used to purchase new playground equipment for the Resurrection House ministry.
The Rotarian of the Day, Kyle Mosley, introduced the speaker, Adam Ely. Ely is the founder and now chief fundraising officer of Hard Luck Automotive Services in Midwest City. As Ely had presented to the club before, his program focused on the structural changes of the organization over the past year.
Hard Luck is a charity auto maintenance shop. They complete basic, routine maintenance while not charging for labor. The customer pays only for parts, which they are able to obtain at a discount from a partnered retailer. All of its staff are volunteers.
Ely explained that in the past year, he has had to adjust from being the lead mechanic to a more administrative role: chief fundraising officer. The organization is restructuring to better operate as a charity. Hard Luck has been brought under the Tinker Foundation, the charity arm of Tinker Federal Credit Union, and has adopted a board of directors. Zach Grayson, of Chickasha, is the board president.
Hard Luck also provides work experience through its youth mentorship program, and community service opportunities for justice-involved youth.
Ely said that those interested in helping can do so by "signal boosting" on social media, in order to reach more people who may need their services.
Rotary also heard from Owen Knapp, who received a Dan Proctor scholarship from the club. Knapp graduated this year from Amber-Pocasset. He is entering the aviation program at the University of Oklahoma.
Lunch was provided by Cotton Patch Café.