Band offers Halloween 'vandalism insurance'
When Skyview High School band students hit the streets last week, selling "vandalism insurance," more than one neighbor cocked an eyebrow.
The pitch: For $5, Skyview High School band members will clean up an insured resident's property if it gets trashed on Halloween. Band director Steven Robertson concocted the idea while at Columbia River and has since brought it to Skyview.
More than a few cynical neighbors have mused aloud that "vandalism insurance" sounds eerily similar to "protection insurance" offered by Sicilian crime families circa 1930.
Robertson said he's heard similar comments over the years.
"Once in a while, people say, 'Are you telling me that you'll do damage to our home?' he said. "Normally, we sell to neighbors the kids know."
Skyview senior Justin Mich has raised $92, including donations. He dresses in his uniform and hits the pavement with a few band buddies.
"I introduce it and then I ask if they want to buy it," Mich said. "No matter how much we don't want it to happen, it does happen."
Hmmm ... Sounds like making an offer that can't be refused.
"It's been pretty positive," he said. "No one's brought up that aspect. Is there anything else you want to ask me?"
Mich was, after all, at practice. And Robertson, to put it mildly, doesn't suffer fools.
Though Robertson is tough - "That smart-ass attitude won't work!" he barked at students during Monday's rehearsal - and not very forgiving of misplaced footsteps, he's not a Mafioso.
He is, however, an expert at raising money. He's taking members of the band to Beijing to perform at the 2008 Summer Olympics. They'll be playing with musicians from 40 countries.
The trip will cost about $2,000 per student. Vandalism insurance is one of the smaller fundraisers; Robertson expects to raise about $500.
"We've sold tangerines and grapefruits," Robertson said. "We've sold turkeys - that's almost a cliché."
When he was in high school, he sold potatoes.
"It worked pretty well, but I couldn't imagine asking the kids to sell potatoes," he said. "With vandalism insurance, people smile if they're seeing it for the first time. The kids go to the same homes year to year. We do some cleanup every year, and those people are pretty pleased."