There’s unspeakable evil being planned on Burdick St.
It’s horrible. . .
It’s gruesome. . .
It’s frightening. . .
And it desperately needs volunteers, sponsors and a whole list of materials.
Planning is in full swing for a haunted house fund-raiser to aid Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance (OAYA).
Dubbed “Nightmare on Burdick Street,” the soon-to-be haunted house is located at 38 E. Burdick St. and scheduled to be open Oct. 15-18, Oct. 22-25 and Oct. 29-Nov.1.
OAYA Caseworker Hank Szlenkier said the theme for the house will be centered on the Purple Gang, a group of notorious Detroit mobsters from the Prohibition era.
“Reliable sources” informed Szlenkier that a member of the Purple Gang was shot and killed near the 38 E. Burdick St. following the robbery of the Metamora Bank.
A bone-chilling ghost story is being created about the house and the family that once lived there based on this historical event, Szlenkier said.
But before the vacant home – owned by the Oxford Community Development Authority – can be transformed into a ghastly house of hair-raising Halloween horrors, Szlenkier said adult volunteers are needed to help with the project.
“We’ve got plenty of kids (volunteering), but we need more adults,” he said.
The project is also in need of skilled workers, such as an electricians, carpenters and painters, to volunteer their time, Szlenkier said.
In addition to bodies (preferrably live ones. . .at least for now), the haunted house project is in need of a wide variety of building and decorating materials, Szlenkier said.
Youth Assistance volunteers have compiled a rather extensive “wish list” of materials they would like to see donated including:
• 10 clip lamps
• 25-watt light bulbs
• extension cords
• flood lights for outside
• 4X4 stakes/posts for fence
• picket/old fence to control front yard
• old wooden chairs
• 50-pound test fishing line
• chains, old sheets, flash lights
• Christmas lights
• Christmas candle lights for windows
• 30 sheets of 4X8 plywood
• black fabric materials for dummies
• on/off remote switches for extension cords
• dimmer switches to be installed in overhead lights
• plywood for door jams
• a recording of heavy base sounds
• speakers for music/sounds
• outfits for guides
• old rocking chair
• 40 8-foot 2X4 boards
• wood screws.
Youth Assistance is also seeking official sponsors for various rooms in the haunted house.
Three donation levels are being offering to potential room sponsors, which can include local businesses, service organizations or private citizens.
Those donating $250 will sponsor a large room and main display, have their name and logo on all advertising and the sponsor board, and receive an invitation to a special opening night event and festivities.
Those donating $150 will sponsor a medium-sized room and feature display plus have their name and logo on all advertising and the sponsor board.
Those donating $75 will sponsor a small space/area and display along with having their name on all advertising and the sponsor board.
To help make Youth Assistance’s “nightmare” become a reality call (248) 628-6710.