Their membership roll hasn’t hit 100 yet, but that didn’t stop a group of women from making a donation that will help improve the lives of children waiting for adoptive homes.

Last week, the North Macomb chapter of 100 Women Who Care presented a $2,900 check to Love for a Child, an Oxford-based nonprofit group that mentors youth in foster care.

Joseph Savalle, founder of Love for a Child, was “very thankful” for the contribution because it will cover the cost of sending four foster kids to a special six-day summer camp his organization conducts every August at the Salvation Army Echo Grove Camp in Addison Township.

Savalle said a donation like this “just makes life a little easier” because his organization is not government-funded.

“We receive 100 percent of our support from local businesses, families, churches and organizations like this,” he said.

Carrie Odrobina, a member of 100 Women Who Care and owner of Brain Balance of North Oakland, located at 53 S. Washington St. in Oxford, is the one who nominated Love for a Child to receive the money.

“We’re both in the business of serving kids who are struggling,” she said.

Brain Balance helps children dealing with behavioral, social and academic issues.

Founded in 2017, the North Macomb chapter of 100 Women Who Care meets four times a year at the Washington Township offices. Each meeting lasts one hour and this is where members jointly select a nonprofit to receive the group’s quarterly donation.

Each member is required to contribute $100 per quarter ($400 annually). The goal is for the group to grow to 100 members and donate $10,000 quarterly.

Right now, the North Macomb chapter has 29 members, but it’s looking to reach 100 and beyond, according to Shelby Township resident Stephanie Shell, the chapter’s co-founder.

“The greater Rochester Chapter has close to 300 members,” she said.

Members are not required to live in Macomb County or even attend meetings. All they have to do is commit to making the quarterly $100 donation.

“That’s pretty much it,” Shell said.

That being said, Shell hopes members would take the time to attend meetings so they can learn how various nonprofits are impacting communities and perhaps be inspired to volunteer or partner with them.

According to Savalle, Love for a Child, the office for which is located at LakePoint Community Church in Oxford Township, is currently providing mentorship to approximately 125 children. Of these, 60 percent are in Oakland County, 30 percent are in Macomb County and 10 percent are in Lapeer, St. Clair and Wayne counties, he said.

Savalle said it costs $1,250 annually to provide each child with a year of mentoring, which includes the $550 camp experience at Echo Grove.

Each child spends three to 12 hours per month with trained mentors who celebrate their achievements, help them set goals, encourage them to be their best, teach them life lessons and leadership skills, and allow them to just be kids.

The mentors also help foster youth deal with difficult issues such as neglect, abuse, substance abuse, anger, anxiety and depression.

To learn more about 100 Women Who Care – North Macomb, please visit www.100womenwhocare-northmacomb.org or check out the group’s Facebook page.

For more information about Love for a Child, visit www.LoveforaChild.org.