Raffle to end all raffles

This post may place me in grumpy old man territory, however, having failed miserably in my quest to stop people using the self-serve checkouts at the supermarkets, I shall turn my attention to the dreaded community theatre raffles. I'd like to find out if anyone in (Perth) theatre land feels as I do, that the customary community theatre raffle is somewhat nauseating and outdated. I think I've said before, that the raffle is but a relic of days gone by, that we, as a community, insist on hanging onto. Recent conversations alerted me to the fact that our audiences seem to be dwindling, due in part to the fact our audiences are gradually leaving this earth in search of fluffy cloud territory. My only wish is that one of the dearly departed would take the raffle instruction booklet with them on their way out the door. Seriously guys, if we have to hold a raffle to keep the doors open, then we're in a bad way? Do correct me if I'm wrong. Secondly; we the people are bombarded by raffles day and night, by phone, by door knockers, by shopping centre trestles. Wouldn't it be nice to find respite from the same, even to find said respite, one must turn to the land of make belief. Of course, people will argue that the raffles raise funds, and yes they do, because our patrons are too polite not to buy the bloody things...trust me, I've been selling them. It's hard to escape eye contact in a matchbox sized foyer....my final word honest...I wonder if anyone else has a thought on the matter.. PS: whilst I'm on my soapbox...most theatres sell confectionary, great idea, I love to partake of a chockie or two myself, however, of late I've noticed some confectionary bars selling packets of chips...can there be anything worse than hearing the person behind opening said bag of chips during the production, and for the same pertson to much their way through them in the same fashion as Bernie the Bunny hoes into his carrots? Call me old-fashioned! Call me prehistoric!...But guys, it's not only insulting to the cast and crew, but to the very people we want to support us. So stop it! Chuck out the chips, and get in the chockies..I'm going now...going to get ready to go to the theatre and help out FOH....I think I'm on the raffle...sigh. JG