About Asylum 49

Asylum 49 was established in 2006 by founder and owner Kimm Andersen. His main purpose was to get some of the youth of Tooele off the streets and involved in some sort of activity. There is not a whole lot to do in Tooele and he wanted to start something so they can get involved. 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 Dʼs or Fʼs. 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 8. 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.

He has been married for 18 years and has 3 beautiful kids who love him very much.

His wife Rebecca is also very involved. She sews about 80% of the costumes each year and has been sewing for about 25 years. She use to sew wedding gowns and full wedding lines but the haunted hospital has taken up to much time and she only sews costumes now. She also helps with designing and decorating some of the rooms.

His sister Sonja is also an owner and her specialty is make-up. She has been doing stage and horror make-up for over 30 years. She also makes one heck of a black maze. She has always loved Halloween and also volunteered at the March of Dimes Haunted House and is very good with designing and decorating.

His niece Dusty, also an owner, is our casting director. She works very well with the kids and they love her. She also builds and designs sets and decorates. She is very artistic and always puts a demented spin on things. She is an awesome asset for Asylum 49.

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

Tomʼs wife June is the concessions manager and 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.