After hearing that a single mom couldn’t afford repairs to her truck, which she needed to get to work and to drive her son to school, a veteran agreed to help the struggling woman. Little did he know, he was being lured into the garage for a setup.
Adam Ely, the owner of Hard Luck Automotive in Mustang, Oklahoma, has always been someone his community can count on. As a veteran of the United States Army, Adam has a heart for service. When he learned about Candice Berry’s situation, he saw a chance to step up once again.
Candice, a single mother, recently bought a truck only to discover it had several issues. “The brakes need to be changed, purge valve and the speedometer is off,” she explained. While some repairs could wait, the brakes urgently needed fixing to ensure her safety.
Despite her need, Candice didn’t have the money for the repairs. After calling multiple garages and getting estimates she couldn’t afford, she reached out to Adam, who was known for helping people in tough situations. She shared her story, and he immediately offered to help, charging only for the parts and waiving the labor costs.
Candice set up an appointment with Adam but decided to plan something special to thank him for his generosity. On the day of the repair, Adam showed up at his garage, unaware that Candice had arranged a surprise. Waiting inside was Dawnetta Moore from First Fidelity Bank, ready to present Adam with the Pay It Forward Award, along with $400 to show their appreciation for his kindness.
Candice had nominated Adam for the award to acknowledge his selfless contributions. With the help of his wife, the setup was perfectly arranged, and Adam was genuinely surprised and touched by the gesture.
“I was a mechanic in the military,” Adam shared. “I saw a need. One of the little girls that my daughter works with, her car kind of took a crap. She was a pizza delivery chick for Dominos, and my wife and I talked about it and the rest is history.”
Adam’s desire to help began with a simple act of kindness, and it grew from there. Fixing cars for those who couldn’t afford it brought him joy, knowing he made a real difference in their lives. “It was pretty awesome to see that little girl drive out of the driveway with her car fixed and to know that she didn’t need to quit her job,” he added.
The need for affordable car repairs in Adam’s community is high. Besides fixing cars, Adam also teaches people like Candice and her son Jace how to maintain their vehicles, helping them save money in the long run. “I don’t know how to do things like change my oil, change my brakes, things like that,” Candice said. “I’m excited because I can watch Adam do things, and then I’ll know what I’m doing.”
“I’m grateful to be able to give this to him,” Candice expressed about the award. “I can’t think of a better person who takes time away from his family and from things he could be doing for himself, for strangers.”
Adam Ely’s commitment to helping those in need shines brightly, reflecting the values he carried from his military service into his community work. His story, and Candice’s appreciation, remind us that kindness and compassion can come full circle. What goes around, comes around — and in this case, it’s a beautiful reminder that good deeds are always worth doing.
