***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!***
Random.org has selected the two random folks who are about to get $100 to IKEA. And they are… Jennifer (who improves lives by teaching and will also be adopting a child from Ethiopia) and Ashley (who says needs some improvement for herself). Congrats!
If you take one thing away from this post, it should be this: two people are winning $100 gift cards to IKEA this week. Woot! But if you have room for a second thing, know that it’s because Ikea is hosting their second annual Life Improvement Project that, among other things (like hilariously helpful “instructions” for living a better life) includes another $100,000 Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest. So if you’ve got a great idea about how to help others, IKEA will give you one year and one hundred grand to make it happen. Last year’s winner (whose video can be seen here) was actually from right here in Virginia. Double woot!
- PRIZE: An $100 gift card to IKEA, courtesy of the IKEA Life Improvement Project
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “IMPROVE ME!” and tell us…
- BONUS QUESTION: …how you’d like to improve the lives of others. Do you have a special skill or talent that you could leverage? Or is there a specific cause or area of need that you’d like to dedicate yourself too?
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, October 12 at 8pm EST (or at 10,000 entries)
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: Two
- PRIZE SHIPS: The continental 48 United States (although we do try to wrangle as many international giveaways as possible)
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday as an update to this post. That’s right, come right back here on Thursday for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
Note: We weren’t paid or perked for hosting this giveaway, we just do ‘em to thank you awesome folks for stopping in. See our Giveaway FAQ page for more info. Pics courtesy of IKEA Life Improvement Project
Crystal says
“IMPROVE ME!” I would love to support the Salvation Army. My family has been a members all their lives and I know first hand how the Salvation Army is ALWAYS there for those in need.
Jenny V says
IMPROVE ME – would love to work with under-privileged minority kids to get them access to food, tutoring, and family support to increase their success in school and life.
Meredith says
IMPROVE ME! I would love to improve lives of others with animal therapy. The sick and the elderly often get a lot out of visits with cats and dogs; I would love to bring them into places where you can’t keep pets.
Laura M. says
Improve me… I would love to help people learn how to save money— it wouldn’t save the world, but it might help stretch the budget– i think as a society we waste too much money needlessly. Again– not rocket science, but I think there are a lot of people who could use some of the tips/tricks I’ve learned over the years.
christina says
Improve me!
I’d like to improve the life of our lonely elderly, society is so quick to throw them away, and I think its the saddest part of American culture.
Mary says
IMPROVE ME! With more awareness and support towards those in my life that are hurting or in need, but still keep silent, when they need help.
Naomi S says
IMPROVE ME!
Feeding the hungry.
Abby says
IMPROVE ME! I like to help others by teaching–it’s what I do! :]
Mallory says
IMPROVE ME!
kris says
improve me
Alison says
improve me!
I’m an archivist, we preserve history & most importantly cultural memory. I like to think that helps people!
Claire says
IMPROVE ME!
Jenny says
IMPROVE ME!
I am a social worker at a non-profit legal services agency and I’m happy to already be helping vulnerable, low-income people get access to justice every day. :)
Jill says
IMPROVE ME! I’ve been involved in an organization called Girls on the Run for a few years. It empowers young girls and promotes physical, emotional, social and intellectual development by having them train for a 5K race. The program strives for each girl to develop a stronger sense of identity, greater self-confidence, a healthier body image and a better knowledge of what it means to be a member of a team and a community.
Alex says
IMPROVE ME! please
Melissa G says
Improve me!
brianne says
improve me! I am an architect with a military boyfriend. I have seen the state of housing for our service members and their families and I would love a chance to do some design work pro bono to improve their quality of life in any way possible.
Colleen says
improve me.
i’d like to be a school psyhchologist.
Amy says
IMPROVE ME! I’d love to help elderly people with their home repair projects that they just can’t do themselves anymore. It not only beautifies the neighborhood, but helps people in need.
Jen L says
Improve me!
I’d love to knit something special (scarf, hat, blankey?) for foster kids – something that’s just for them.
Erin says
Improve me!
My younger brother has autism, so I’m always looking for ways to get involved in the autism community. Although, I always think that people with disabilities improve my life just as much or more than I improve theirs!
Ted says
Improve me! I have worked for over 20 years at local soup kitchens in the Washington area and I like to think that I’ve helped out many of our patrons who are down on their luck. There is nothing so special as showing up and finishing a meal shift with one of the regular patrons who always shows up, not coming for a meal. It often means that they’ve found work and can afford to feed themselves.
Emily says
IMPROVE ME! I would like to bring instrumental music education to some of the toughest schools in the country…
Marsha says
IMPROVE ME!
I am a first grade teacher and I am passionate about helping children learn to read.
Regan says
Improve me!!
Share the love of Jesus :)
Jamie says
IMPROVE ME!
As a school based speech therapist, I work every day to try to help my students improve their ability to communicate effectively, use positive social skills, and access the classroom curriculum more easily.
Lauren says
IMPROVE ME!
I’d love to help fund mentors and tutors for a local kids ministry I’m involved with.
bex says
IMPROVE ME!
There are so many things I’d love to do to improve others’ lives (and mine by proxy!). Being a literacy tutor, training my dog to be a therapy dog, Habitat for Humanity, being a foster parent, creating a meals-on-wheels type food service that (no offense, MOW!) serves high quality food to shut ins.
Guess I’d better get going! :)
Virginia says
IMPROVE ME!!
I would like to help parents learn how important it is to be receptive and responsive to their children from birth. That just because they can’t speak like an adult yet doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of your attention.
Amanda says
IMPROVE ME!!
I’m currently in nursing school, but my ultimate goal is to be a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Midwife and to co-own a natural pregnancy center. (Think OB office with LaMaz, prenatal yoga, mother and child groups, maybe even an accredited birthing center) I want to empower women to make healthy pregnancy (and lifestyle choices) as well as giving mothers and pregnant women a place to meet other mothers with similar views on parenting and life.
L.Overstreet says
I love this! So exciting Amanda!
Melissa says
IMPROVE ME! =)
Lisa G R says
IMPROVE ME! I would love to improve the lives of shelter dogs. I know I can’t adopt them all but there must be a better way to get them into happy homes.
Mandy says
Improve me!
My goal is to save up enough money that I can help my nieces and nephews pay for college, or at least for books…
Kendall says
IMPROVE ME!
The skill I feel I use to help others the most is my ability to explain complicated things in a simple way. I work with complicated policies daily and I help out my international program by explaining these policies to students. It is great when you see that ah-ha moment happen in front of you! I can definitely use the tip mentioned above though about knocking off the unnecessary “I’m sorry.” statements. I’m the worst for that!
Sarah says
IMPROVE ME! I’m efficient! I’d like to help people streamline their processes :)
Kristen J. says
IMPROVE ME!
I love to be a missionary overseas someday. Spread Jesus love!
Kelly says
Improve me! My latest cause is to help spread awareness around human trafficking. We can make a difference! Here’s your factoid: Over 27 million people are enslaved around the world. This is more than double the number of Africans enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. – Kevin Bales; Free the Slaves
Karmen says
Kelly that is a cause that needs as much light shed on it as possible!! Great thoughts!!
Molly says
IMPROVE ME!
I just want to start small: stop complaining about things, be better at affirming and complimenting the good qualities in others rather than scrutinizing the bad ones. Be a better mother, wife, friend and coworker. If I can’t improve the lives of those m closest to, what business do I have trying to improve the lives of those I don’t even know?
Stephanie says
IMPROVE ME!
I’d love to work with victims of sex trafficking someday. Until then, I’ll continue to be an advocate for victims everywhere!
nicole mason says
IMPROVE ME!
I would like to educate children on the humane treatment of animals in the home and in the food industry.
anna says
improve me! working with orphaned and at-risk children.
gingela5 says
Improve me! I’d like to start volunteering for animal shelters!
Johanna says
IMPROVE ME! I’m a speech language pathologist and I hope I help improve the lives of the kiddos I work with by helping them communicate!
L.Overstreet says
IMPROVE ME! I would encourage every dog owner to ensure their pup gets adequate exercise each day. Boredom breads bad behavior, which makes us think we have bad dogs. Plus exercising one’s dog usually leads to exercising ourselves, so it is a two-fer. :)
Lisa says
IMPROVE ME!
I use my time to read in elementary schools with children who may be struggling a bit.
Abby says
Improve me! As a therapist, I believe EVERYONE can improve their lives and try to help them to do so, however they see fit.
Jessica says
IMPROVE ME!!!
I would like to start donating my time to animal rescues. I have two furry friends myself (both of which are rescues) and I think it is very important to help them since they help us so much by just being there when we get home.
Lilly says
IMPROVE ME! And as a case manager for children with developmental disabilities I work every day to help them improve their quality of life!
daniela says
IMPROVE ME!
Jessi says
IMPROVE ME! I’d like to help neighborhoods and businesses become more ADA compliant so my mother could get around by herself.