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Couple exchanges wedding vows at Goodwill
Goodwill employee Arlin Jackson slips the wedding band on co-worker Loretta Runyon's hand, The couple met on the job so fittingly the ceremony was held at the Goodwill Employment and Training Center on Saturday, March 13, 2010.
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HUNTINGTON -- The bride cried, the groom was dashing and they promised to love each other in good(will) times and bad.
Everything about Loretta Runyon and Arlin Jackson's wedding was traditional, from the white gown to the rings to the cake -- except the location. Co-workers, the couple exchanged vows at Goodwill on Saturday evening.
"When we got engaged, I started talking to a couple of the girls at work and they wanted to put the wedding together. It just seemed right to do it at Goodwill," said Runyon, on the eve of her big day. "It's great because it hasn't been stressful for us at all. It's been a blessing that they were willing to help us out like this."
Runyon and Jackson met nine years ago doing janitorial contract work for Goodwill following a Marshall University football game. Earlier this year, Runyon said Jackson came home and told her he was ready to get married.
"He wanted to get married on my birthday and I said, 'Then, do you realize we've only got about three months to plan a wedding?' but he was ready," said Runyon, who turned 49 Friday.
Goodwill's marketing director Carter Seaton said once the engagement was on, the staff was off to the races.
"They just told the people they worked with they were going to get married, but they didn't know where," she said. "I think it's sweet as it can be, and it's typical of Goodwill employees to just jump in there and help the people they work with in any way they can. We all take a real personal interest in the success and happiness of the other people we work with."
All eight retail stores between Point Pleasant and Pikeville started looking for red and white decorations and other items that could be used for the wedding and sending the items to the Goodwill Employment and Training Center, 1005 Virginia Ave. One co-worker played the organ, another did alterations on the gown; and, although the bride and groom's clothes and those of Runyon's daughter and son, who served as matron of honor and best man, did not come from Goodwill, they were able to turn to Goodwill again for another need. Elmer Armstrong, a Goodwill truck driver, is also an ordained minister.
"I've done about eight ceremonies, but this is the biggest," said Armstrong, eyeing the 100-plus guests occupying every seat and standing all around the room. "I've known Arlin and Loretta for a long time, and I was honored they asked me."
The reception followed at -- where else? -- Goodwill, though one employee said no one felt brave enough to make the wedding cake.
"We were just too tired by then," said Connie Chaney, director of human resources.
Goodwill's executive director Kim Lewis even secured an evening's accommodations for husband and wife at Pullman Plaza Hotel.
"This has really been a group effort," Chaney said. "Loretta had said she was just going to wear jeans and T-shirt and go to Catlettsburg, and we said, 'Oh, no, you need a wedding,' and we have had the best time doing this."
"We are just glad to be able to celebrate them," said director of operations Amy Cartwright. "They are really special people."
It is the first marriage for Runyon and third for Jackson, 36. The couple already reside together and will continue working opposite shifts at Goodwill.
"This isn't everybody's idea of their big day, but it's my big day," the new Mrs. Jackson said, "and, I'm excited."
