*** This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – scroll down to see who won!***
Perhaps you’ve heard of a little store called Ikea? And perhaps you’ll be interested in a $350 gift card from them for this week’s giveaway? Yeah we couldn’t believe it either when they emailed us. Hooray is right, Ikea catalog. Well said.
And not only are they generously offering up this week’s sweet prize, Ikea’s also presenting “The Life Improvement Project” where they’ll award one philanthropic individual $100,000 to take a one year sabbatical to help others (start a non-profit, volunteer for a year, etc). Plus they’re hosting free seminars in their stores about improving your life through your living space.
But back to how you can get your mitts on that $350 gift card:
- PRIZE: A $350 gift card to Ikea!
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “IKEA Me!” and…
- BONUS QUESTION: … tell us what you’d do if you could spend one year helping others. Would you open an after school program? Volunteer at a homeless shelter? Rescue animals?
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, October 27th at 8pm EST
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
- PRIZE SHIPS: The United States
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday as an update to this post. That’s right, come right back here Thursday morning for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
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You guys are quite impressive with your nearly 11,000 entries. So impressive in fact that Ikea decided to change their plans and give away not just one, not just two, but THREE $350 gift cards. That’s over $1000 in gift cards! Thanks Ikea!
So let’s see who the lucky three winners are according to random.org:
- Alyssa Allen (who’s Life Improvement Project would include moving her fam somewhere in the world to help the poverty crisis)
- NEPD (who’d give her wedding florist services away free of charge)
- Jill (who’d give a year working with the Wildlife Conservation Society)
Note: We weren’t paid or perk’d for hosting this giveaway, we just take them on to reward our lovely readers! See our Giveaway FAQs page for more info. Pics from Ikea.
ASH says
IKEA me!
I would love a year off to volunteer with Doctors without Borders.
KBaker says
IKEA Me!
i would work on the school lunch crisis to give parents/children healthier choices on their menus.
Nancy says
IKEA ME!
I would, in some way, help new moms who feel overwhelmed!
Amy says
I would open a career center for disadvantaged women. Teaching them technical and life skills.
Jennifer D. says
IKEA Me!
I’d like to start a cooking program for young kids in school and teach them how to cook and eat healthier.
Katie J. says
IKEA ME!!
I would promote green, sustaiable initiatives in my community like urban gardens and large scale composting projects(schools and restaurants).
bridget says
IKEA ME, pleeeeaase!!!
If I could help any group of people it would have to be unemployed parents and the kids who are going through it along with them. I’ve spent the last year without a job (just started a new one!) and the whole time I was so thankful that I don’t have a family to support. I cannot imagine how hard it would be. I would love to provide counselors and babysitting and therapy if needed. New wardrobes and makeovers help, too! I would not only love to help people look for jobs but build a network of generous people and businesses willing to help families get through the hell of day-to-day activities without a steady paycheck!
Stacey says
IKEA Me!
With a year and time, I’d spend it working with a women’s group in Rwanda. I have worked with them for two years as a volunteer, working on empowerment, small business development, health education, etc. I’d love to expand the program.
Anne says
Ikea me!
I would want to help people learn how to budget and manage their money! And get out of debt!
Corrie M. says
IKEA ME!
I would help domestic violence victims get back on their feet and start new lives.
Tricia says
Ikea Me! Ikea Me!
I’d love to spend the year teaching kids how to read!
Jenny says
IKEA ME! I would love to work with the homeless full time…Because I think in doing so you would be addressing so many other issues as well, such as mental disease, addictions, etc.
Tracy says
Ikea me!
I would go overseas to Kosova and help rebuild public schools especially their libraries since they have been neglected for years post war and under Serbian control.
Amie V says
IKEA ME!!!
I would want to create an organization that reaches out to lower income families that do not have access to nutritious/organic foods. I think it should be easily accessible to everyone no matter who you are.
rd shugart says
IKEA ME!!
Our church has a ministry in Guatemala that builds homes for widows & orphans, provides clean running water & teaches the locals a trade. If I had a year to help others, I’d spend it there serving those lovely, inspirational people!
Casie says
IKEA ME!!!!
Erin says
Please, please, please IKEA Me!
Please!
I’d volunteer with one of the fine organizations that works to save our freshwater resources. It’s a cause near and dear to my heart and one of those resources that people don’t realize the value of until it’s too late.
Joslyn says
IKEA Me! I’d spend the year planting trees and plants and cleaning up the city parks. It’s a shame when you see an inner city park (which are hard to come by, to begin with) filled with trash and debris.
Rachel says
I’ve always said that if I were blessed enough not to have to work I would volunteer my time to working for an animal rescue group. I have a love for all animals, but there is a special place in my heart for Bulldogs!!
Katie says
IKEA Me!
I’m a huge scientist nerd but a lot of kids don’t have the opportunities I had. I would create after school science programs for disadvantaged schools.
Krystal says
IKEA ME!
I would definitely open up an animal rescue. A family friend has been very active in a local rescue and she has single-handedly placed over 25,000 rescue dogs in the last 4 years. I truly idolize her. I live in the Chicago area, which unfortunately is a breeding ground for puppy mills (no pun intended), dog fighting, and dog auctions. And though they all advertise as being “friendly”, there are only about 2 or 3 no kill shelters between the Illinois/Indiana border. It breaks my canine loving heart :(
Gaby says
IKEA ME!
I would teach music to kids that couldn’t afford it. Right now I’m a piano teacher, and if I didn’t have to charge for lessons, I wouldn’t. Just seeing the joy on those kids’ faces is enough.
Anne with an e says
aaahhh, ikea me!
i would spend some time working with women around the world – inspired by the fabulous book Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn.
Hollie Turner says
IKEA ME!
I would love to help children in poverty.
Meg says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the year helping animals in whatever capacity I could – nothing makes me more sad or mad then neglected or abused animals.
-Meg.
brittany says
IKEA ME!
I would help with programs to teach English as a Second Language…
Jenny says
IKEA ME!
I would LOVE to take a sabbatical to work toward improving education opportunities for low-income kids.
Sarah Celeste says
IKEA Me!
Jen says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the year helping lower income individuals fix up their living spaces.
Kim says
IKEA ME!
I’d love to teach English in a foreign country.
Stacie says
Ikea me!
I would help disadvantaged children.
Melissa says
IKEA ME!
Theresa says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer to help out at area schools.
Sharee A. says
IKEA me!
EJ says
Ikea me. I want to work with operation smiles for children in Asia.
Heather Joly says
IKEA ME!
Laurie says
Ikea Me!
I would volunteer at libraries and museums (both areas where funding has been seriously cut over the last couple years).
colleen says
IKEA ME!
I would teach MORE students with special needs employment skills and encourage MORE employers to hire them!!
Melissa G says
IKEA ME!!
I would spend the year rescuing and rehabilitating Greyhounds!
Jill says
IKEA me! I would love to volunteer in some capacity with animals.
Kim says
“IKEA Me! I’d go overseas and help women get an education and leave the sex trade industry!”
Lori B. says
IKEA ME!
I think I’d be interested in doing something for teens-at-risk, or rather something that would prevent them from reaching that point.
Erin I. says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer and fundraise for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a cause very close to my heart.
erin says
IKEA ME
I’d definitely open a wildlife sanctuary.
Asia@upward says
IKEA Me!
I would work with immigrants and exchange students helping them learn English, American customs/traditions, and general “getting around” knowledge.
Angela says
IKEA Me!
Melissa says
Ikea me!
I would design a program to get more books into the homes of schoolage and younger children in traditionally underserved communities.
(and I would buy a white Ektorp sleeper couch with the gift card! ;))
Karen Burrows says
Ikea Me!
Amanda says
Ikea me!
I would work in Africa digging wells and trying to find other sustainable sources of clean water. The lack of clean water is the cause of too many unnecessary deaths. :-(
Stacy says
Ikea me!
I would provide ABA services to kids with autism from low-income families.