Here's your USD News Connect — where each week the University of San Diego media relations team offers expert voices to speak on stories impacting our community. If you're interested in the stories below, or need experts for any other topic you might be working on, don't hesitate to reach out to us at press@sandiego.edu.*
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Nonprofit Donations: Maximize Giving Impact Before Dec. 31
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As the December 31 deadline approaches, now is a great time to highlight the importance of donating to local nonprofits that rely on year-end giving to sustain essential community services. There are more than 13,000 nonprofits in San Diego County, and according to The Nonprofit Institute at USD, 81% of residents benefited from a nonprofit in 2024. Meanwhile, President Trump’s “big beautiful bill” introduced tax changes that could affect donors’ tax breaks in 2025 and beyond. Laura Deitrick, executive director of The Nonprofit Institute, can discuss why it is important to consider donating to local nonprofits, strategies for making final gifts and what donors must keep in mind with the new rules that took effect this year.
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Sustainable Gift Giving Ideas for the Holidays
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Over the holidays — between wrapping paper, packaging and more — U.S. households generate up to 25% more waste than usual. Instead of physical things, there are more creative and sustainable gift ideas. John Alejandro is the director of sustainability at USD. He can discuss the waste that’s created this time of year, and provide ideas for how to ditch physical gifts in favor of experiences or things that support local small businesses and nonprofits.
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USD’s Basketball Teams Invite the Community to a Festive Toy Drive + Vintage Car Event
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San Diego’s holiday basketball weekend is back with their Holiday Hoops event, presented by USD Athletics and the Genuine Car Club. Both the Men’s and Women’s teams hit the court in back-to-back weekend non-conference games on December 13 and 14. This year’s celebration combines basketball, vintage cars, holiday fun, and community giving. USD Athletics and Genuine Car Club are partnering on a Toy Drive benefiting the Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center. Guests can bring a new, unwrapped toy and get in for FREE (General Admission only).
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* Please note that times of availability will vary according to professors' schedules.
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At the Edge of It All: Why Food Systems Put Consumers In a Tough Spot
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This week, "At The Edge of It All" welcomed back Aaron Gross, PhD, director of USD's Center for Food Systems Transformation. He explained to us how food -- vegetables and meat alike -- make it from farms to our plates, and how they can pick up bacteria and food-borne illnesses along the way. He talks about how the systems in place make it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions, what they can do as individuals, and what everyone can do to try to improve conditions and remove some of the ambiguity around our food. You can listen to this episode here.
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Office of Media Relations
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110
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