With donations down as a result of the economy, the Suffolk Unit of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia is looking for new ways to raise money.

After a successful riverside party in October, the organization’s leaders turned their attention to a more traditional fundraiser, a dinner sponsored by and hosted at a local restaurant.

Mosaic Café will host an event from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday to help raise some money and bring awareness to the club’s programs and activities.

For those diners who request that it do so on Friday night, the restaurant will donate 15 percent of its earnings to the Suffolk Unit.

“They’re going to eat out anyway, why not help out the kids in the community in the process?” said Reggie Carter, director of the Suffolk Unit. “It’s the community stake in this club. The proceeds will go directly to the Suffolk Unit.”

“The students need our help,” added Karen Williams, a board member for the Suffolk Unit.

With the strain of the recession, donations and grants to the local Boys and Girls Clubs have been off, Carter said. As companies have earned less, many have given less, leaving the Boys and Girls Club a few thousand dollars short of previous years’ fund levels.

The funds raised on Friday will help cover the costs of programs and activities, including supplies, equipment, technology, salaries and materials that keep the club running and active, Carter said.

The event at Mosaic also gives the club the opportunity to bring awareness to its programs and activities.

The club’s goals include running quality programs that help kids to improve in academics, athletics, social and emotional development, responsibility, leadership, confidence, lifestyle choices, creativity and more.

The Boys and Girls Club hosts structured, after-school activities and programs aimed at providing homework help and tutoring, encouraging healthy eating, exercising and fitness, promoting reading, teaching kids to resist peer-pressure and make healthy lifestyle choices and more.

Friday night’s program also will include an auction for items including baskets with men’s and women’s fragrances, valued at more than $100; a one-night stay at the Riverfront Hilton Garden Inn with breakfast, valued at $150; a two-night stay at a hotel on the Norfolk Waterside with breakfast, valued at $404; a $25 Hallmark gift card; a $40 gift card from the Vineyards Trattoria and Pizzeria; a basket from Unilever and more.

“Even if you can’t volunteer your time and talent, you can definitely volunteer your treasure,” Carter said.

All of the funds raised will stay in Suffolk, Williams said.

“I hope the general public will come out and attend this event and support the program to keep the program strong,” she said. “We want to promote the club because we want more children to come to the club. We want to help kids. It could help so many more kids if we just got the word to the parents. It is all for the kids.”