Along with delivering the commencement address to the 2020 and 2021 graduating classes at Fresno State this weekend, Lynda Resnick – the vice-chairman and co-owner of The Wonderful Company – is also presenting a new fund to students centered around local community service.
Resnick is starting the $1 million “Wonderful Butterfly Project” fund, which will provide $500 to each of the first 2,000 graduates from Fresno State’s classes of 2020 and 2021 who complete two days of service with local nonprofit organizations.
The fund will generate 32,000 hours of volunteer work for local organizations.
“Never underestimate the powerful impact you can have in your own backyard. When you serve in the same place that you live, you build momentum, movements and relationships that make an indelible mark on your community,” Resnick said.
“We hope that this $1 million gift to your classes will inspire you. Flap your wings, kick up dust and bring a tornado of change down on anyone who tells you that it’s impossible to fix the world. You are the ones who will take to the air and inspire us all to fly higher once again.”
Resnick and her husband Stewart are noted philanthropists and benefactors of Fresno State. The couple donated $10 million to the university to help build the new student union, which will bear their names.
Fresno State graduates can visit wonderfulbutterflyproject.com to match with local nonprofits and apply for funding once they’ve completed their community service hours.
