‘Friend to everyone’ honored for hard work, drive

Working to be the best person he can be hasn’t gone unnoticed by those who know Palatka resident Jonathan Hurt.

“He is always happy and ready to help,” his dad, Cliff Hurt, said. “When he has money, he has no problem spending it on others. He is a friend to everyone.”

Cliff Hurt said his son is developmentally disabled, has a low mentality and suffers from Milroy disease, a condition that affects the normal function of the lymphatic system, where he retains fluid in one leg.

But Jonathan Hurt doesn’t let that stop him from getting up and staying active.

“Even though Jonathan has a painful medical condition and flare-ups while working, he works with no complaints and never wants to miss work,” said Patty Dame, the manager of administrative services for the Arc of Putnam County Inc.

And that determination and drive is why Jonathan Hurt was given the 2023 James “Eddie” Mooney Leadership Award during a banquet and fundraiser March 7 at the Roy E. Campbell Civic Center inside Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka. The Arc hosted the 26th annual event.

“He was caught completely off guard since he was not told about getting the award but he was very happy,” Cliff Hurt said.

Each year, the Arc’s board of directors honors an Arc client with the Eddie Mooney Award based on the individual’s courage and determination, which has long served as an example for people with developmental differences.

According to a news release from the Arc of Putnam County, the award has been established to recognize the accomplishments of people with disabilities within the community.

Mooney, a member of the former St. James United Methodist Church in Palatka, was well-liked with an outgoing personality. Mooney was also known to invite other Arc clients to church.

He died Jan. 8, 1998, after a short illness at the age of 43, according to findagrave.com. He is buried at Oak Hill West Cemetery in Palatka.

“The annual award is a chance to recognize an individual who displays the qualities of leadership, independence and courage,” Dame said. “These were hallmarks of Eddie Mooney’s life.”

Other award winners at the banquet included Russell Washington, who won the Employment Excellence Award, Michelle Huffman, who won the Peter Prater Self-Advocacy Award, and Kevin Spence, who won the Community Contributions Award.

Beck Automotive Group was also recognized at the award ceremony, receiving the Lucille Flint Volunteerism Award.

“We are so thankful for everything that they have done and continue to do for the people we serve,” Dame said. “All of our winners have worked so hard and are very deserving of their awards.”

Jonathan Hurt has an extensive history with the Arc. Prior to moving to Palatka, he worked for 17 years through the Arc in Columbus, Ohio, securing employment as a packager at a warehouse in the area. He and his father moved to Palatka in 2018.

Once in Putnam County, Jonathan Hurt decided he wanted to learn more and entered Project SEARCH, a program Beck hosts that educates and trains adults with disabilities to learn life skills and job skills to obtain marketable employment in an integrated setting, according to a news release from the Arc of Putnam County.

“He did great in the classroom, where he was very encouraging to all of his classmates, always trying to lift up those who might be having a bad day,” Dame said. “He also did well at all of his internships.”

Upon graduation, Jonathan Hurt was hired by Goodwill Industries of Palatka, where he still works and continues to do well, Dame said.

“Jonathan is very deserving of this prestigious award,” she said.

Cliff Hurt is proud of his son, the advancements he’s made and the recognition he’s received.

“I got emotional at the ceremony even though I knew he was getting the award,” he said. “I am very proud of him.”

Jonathan Hurt said he enjoys working at Goodwill.

“I love it,” he said. “I look forward to going to work every day, and Candace and my coworkers are very nice.”

Jonathan Hurt lives with his dad in Palatka but hopes to find his own housing soon.

Cliff Hurt said his son loves anything that deals with their religion, going to meetings and watching religious videos. He also enjoys going to Disney on Ice and to Disney plays.

“Since being here, he has worked in the community, and everywhere we go, someone knows him,” Cliff Hurt said.

Dame agrees.

“He is a friend to everyone he meets,” she said. “He makes your day brighter just by saying, ‘Good morning.’”