The Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce handed out the big checks this week – literally and figuratively – to the Byron Union School District (BUSD), and representatives were on hand to accept and acknowledge the chamber’s efforts.

“On behalf of all the kids, we thank you,” said BUSD Trustee Jill Sprenkel. “Our kids really are our community, and we can’t thank you enough for doing this.”

The Chamber raised $1,950 from the annual State of the Town Dinner held in January and donated the funds to the school district. A check for $650 was presented to each school – Timber Point and Discovery Bay elementaries and Excelsior Middle School – Tuesday night during the Chamber’s monthly mixer.

“It’s really the community and their generous donations that allow us to do this,” said Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce President Rita Caruso. “And we’re thrilled to be able to help support these kinds of programs. I think we all feel how important it is and how much it means to everyone. It’s just good karma.”

Principals from all three schools intend to use the windfall to help fund the annual Odyssey of the Mind competitions: a creative, problem-solving challenge for students in grades K through college. This year the district fielded six teams for the event, and Discovery Bay Elementary made it to the state competition level.

“This is fantastic,” said Timber Point Elementary Principal Brian Burnight when he learned of the Chamber’s donation. “Thank you to fellow chamber members for being so very supportive of our students … It’s great to be a part of such a caring community, both as a resident and principal.”

With the support of the chamber and community behind the schools, Sprenkel believes programs such as Odyssey of the Mind can continue to be offered as part of an ongoing enrichment program. “Having these kinds of extracurricular options for the kids is really nice … I love it when the Chamber gets involved in the schools, because for me, it really completes the community circle.”

Discovery Bay Elementary Principal Danielle Storey echoed Sprenkel’s sentiments: “Thank you for supporting us – it means so much.”