David Anderson, owner of the adult studio and video store, Sunshyne Video, and a dozen of his employees and customers recently worked alongside a handful of local church volunteers to help an elderly woman from having her house demolished by the government. Anderson told AVN.com that the movement was spearheaded by his attorney, Billy Gibble.
“Billy came to me about a week and a half ago and said that this was a project that I might be interested in,” said Anderson. “He told me that he thought I’d agree that the government did not have the right to take this woman’s house away and tear it down.”
The woman Anderson was talking about was Margie Hanby. Hanby is currently lives in a 105-year-old house in Maryville’s historic district and, among other things, she suffers from several physical and mental illnesses, including cancer and diabetes. “If her house is torn down,” said Anderson, “this woman will be left out on the streets.”
Anderson said that after being approached, Gibble decided to represent Hanby, free of charge. Gibble was able to gather contractors, plumbers and electricians that were willing to sacrifice their time and money to help get Hanby’s home back up to code.
Anderson and a group of volunteers that he put together also spent Sunday helping with the house. The group from Sunshyne Video was joined by some church volunteers, and the two differing organizations working side by side meant headlines for the evening news, calling it a redefinition of what it means to be a good Samaritan.
“To be honest, I think that the church could have gotten more volunteers out there,” said Anderson. “I mean, this is the bible belt of America…there’s a church on every street corner. This poor woman lives right down the street from a church. But when something comes up with my video store, they come out in packs. It seem like they might have their priorities switched around.
“It’s a tragedy that this woman could be thrown out on to the street, without any help.”
Anderson said that he plans on putting an even bigger group together in a few weeks to go by Hanby’s house for a return trip. He said that he will also organize someone to set up a tent, as well as provide sandwiches and water. Gibble will continue to represent Hanby, as well as try to get her house registered as a historic site.
“This is an experience I will never forget,” said Anderson.
Anderson told AVN.com that if anyone in the Maryville area would like to help the cause, they should contact him at 865-908-0605.
