About Asylum 49

Asylum 49 was established in 2006 by founder Kimm Andersen. His main purpose was to get some of the youth of Tooele off the streets and involved in something great. There is not a whole lot to do in Tooele and he wanted to give them a place that they can come to and stay out of trouble. He was very much like some of our kids that volunteer when he was their age and like them wanted to be apart of something.

He helped start 13th Street Haunted House and volunteered at March of Dimes Haunted House for several years and loved every minute of it. He has wanted to do another one for many years and he had a great opportunity to start a new one and he did.

He gets really involved with the kids and tries to teach them several things like how to build things and what types of tools to use and how to paint. He also tries to instill good morals and teaching them right from wrong and to choose the right path in life. He explains things in a way that they understand and what consequences they may have to pay. He tells them that education is the most important thing and even helps with homework. We do not let any young person participate if they have bad grades. No D's or F's. He also helps kids with community service.

Kimm is an awesome role model and he has come very far in life. He grew up in low income housing and is the youngest of 9. He could have gone down the wrong path himself very easily but he stuck it out and graduated from High School, attended some college and has worked in the same industry for over 20 years. He is an unbelievable person and if you meet him you would agree.

Rebecca Andersen does all the costuming for the production and sews about 80% of the costumes. She is also the administrator and does all the reservations for the ghost hunts.

Sonja Andersen is the make-up director. She has been doing stage and horror make-up for over 30 years. She has always loved Halloween and also volunteered at the March of Dimes Haunted House and is very good with designing and decorating.

Dusty Kingston is our casting director which is not an easy task.. She works very well with the kids and they love her. She also builds, decorates, and designs sets.

Tom Epperley came to volunteer for one night the first year, fell in love with it and has been with Asylum 49 ever since. He is ahead of security and he helps do everything and I mean everything. He has been a great help to Kimm and they have become best friends.

June Epperley is in charge of concessions and she is our personal chef. She has brought us lunch and dinner numerous times when she didn't have to. She helps every year with different things and is very appreciated.