Suffolk’s Project Lifesaver program will hold a fundraiser Sept. 17 to help offset the costs of operating the program.

The program saves lives and money by outfitting children with autism, adults with dementia or traumatic brain injury, and other people prone to wander with transmitters. Fire stations throughout Suffolk are armed with tracking equipment that emit an audible signal that gets stronger as it gets closer to the transmitter.

The Sept. 17 fundraiser will be held at Amici’s, 157 E. Washington St., at 7 p.m. For a $35 ticket, guests will get a four-course meal paired with four wines and hear Mark Eggerman, the state coordinator for search and rescue, speak on the Project Lifesaver program.

Roughly 36 clients currently are in the Suffolk program, which is triple the number of three years ago, said Lt. Mason Copeland of the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue.

“I think our numbers are going to continue to grow,” said Robert Nelms, president of the board of directors for Project Lifesaver. “We have limited opportunities to raise money.”

The program is provided free of charge to clients. Those who are able are asked to pay $5 a month for new batteries for the transmitters.

The program has capital costs, though. The transponders cost $300 each. Each set of tracking equipment costs about $1,000 to $1,300, and the ultimate goal is for each fire station to have two sets, Copeland said.

“We’re bringing back loved ones alive,” Copeland said, adding that the tax dollars it saves in unnecessary searches are secondary to the lives saved.

Most searches for Project Lifesaver clients last around 30 minutes, Copeland said. That’s compared to a search that could last several days and have a bad outcome.

“This has been a big peace of mind for caregivers,” Copeland said.

“It helps save the community money,” Nelms added.

The program is partially funded by several generous organizations including the Suffolk and Nansemond River Pilot Clubs, the Suffolk Kiwanis, Ruritan clubs, the Obici Healthcare Foundation and Richard Bennett Trust, Nelms said.

However, a few more dollars are needed to ensure the program is working at top strength.

To purchase tickets to the fundraiser, call 754-8787. To make a donation to the program, make a check payable to Suffolk Project Lifesaver Search and Rescue and send it to 300 Kings Fork Road, Suffolk, VA 23434.