*** 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.
wendy h says
IKEA me! I’d spend a year with Operation Smile.
Kelly S says
IKEA ME!
I’d volunteer at the USO or American Red Cross to help other military families like mine!
Jennifer says
Ikea me!
I’d build libraries abroad. Or hell, just volunteer in libraries here in the US. Funding is at an all-time low while need is at its highest.
Sara says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year teaching music/musical theatre to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to arts programs! The arts are such an important way for kids to express themselves and be creative. And in today’s world, so much of that creativity is taken away by our “instant gratification” media
Rebekah says
IKEA Me!
If I could take a year off I would work in animal rescue of some sort.
Julie SW says
“IKEA Me!”
It’s probably a sign that I love my job as a literature teacher that if I could take a year off, I’d end up doing one of two things that are basically just like my job:
I’d love to spend it tutoring kids at our local elementary school, which is 41% English-as-a-second-language to help them with their language skills.
Or, I’d love to start a creative-writing class in local cancer centers to help cancer patients process what they’re going through with therapeutic writing.
Kristi Carne says
IKEA me! If I had a year I would travel to visit friends (MD’s) who are missionaries at a womens and childrens hospital in Mali, West Africa and do what I could to help out.
Brittney says
IKEA Me!
Since I’m in my last year of optometry school, I would spend a year traveling to various places providing eyecare to those in need. It’s amazing what a pair of glasses can do for someone who doesn’t have access to them!
Justin says
IKEA me!
I would devote my year to promote healthier eating among young people. It’s painfully clear we need more programs like that.
Micha B says
IKEA me!
I’d love to volunteer with the Peace Corps. It doesn’t matter where, I just would love to do that.
Grace says
IKEA Me!
My husband recently died of brain cancer, so I would spend a year volunteering with cancer patients.
Leah Y. says
IKEA Me!
I’m getting my Masters in Social Work and I would spend a year volunteering at some of the different community organizations in Detroit that are trying to help people out.
Erin H. says
Ikea Me! I would spend a year doing free family portraits for low-income families.
Becky says
IKEA ME IKEA ME IKEA ME!
One year to give huh? I would want to work with children in the hospitals – bring them some joy in some of their hardest times.
Melissa says
IKEA Me! I would love to volunteer more hours with the homeless shelter in our town–Home Sweet Home Ministries.
Lorna says
IKEA Me! Please!
If I could take a year off and volunteer to do something, I’d like to organize a way for lonely grandparents to connect with isolated new moms (those with no family nearby). The moms would love some help and some adult company, and the grandparents would love to help out and get to enjoy a baby.
Kellie says
IKEA ME!!
If I had a year off I would ethier return to the orphanage I visited while living in Argentina or I would start an ESOL class at the school I work at to help the hispanic speaking mothers learn english.
Caitlin H. says
Ikea me! I would be interested in a year working with community gardens–anything that promoted local,sustainable food.
Laura N. says
Ikea me!
I want to go live in Cambodia and work/teach at an orphanage outside of Phnom Penh!
Jillian says
“IKEA Me!” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I could take a year off to help others and volunteer, I’d probably split my time between a few organizations that I care about.
I have volunteered with a program call Horses Help, which gives horseback riding therapy to special needs children and veterans. It is an amazing organization, and regardless of ability to pay, they help anyone gain more strength, courage, and skills.
Also, I have been a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters for six years, and I think it would be fun to help out in other capacities than just being a mentor.
Now pick ME please!!! I could really use an IKEA shopping spree!!! :-)
Amy B. says
IKEA me!
I think I’d like to work to expand community recycling in my small town…and the community garden/locally-grown food program.
Kim says
IKEA Me!
I’d spend the year helping abandoned/stray animals. My cat was rescued at two weeks old from a shed at a school and a maintenance man offering to kill her. I have a soft spot for animals anyway but more animals need to be adopted and adopted pets need to be cared for properly. I’d work to get them better medical care and homes that won’t abandon them again once they’re not so cute or little anymore.
Nancy R. says
IKEA ME!
I would want to help out young single moms who are struggling to “Just survive”! I would help them spruce up their living spaces on a budget, because your surroundings have so much to do with your attitude for life and when your attitude is good you have hope and courage to keep on, keeping on.
Joe says
IKEA ME!
If I had a year to donate, I’d develop and help with a system that would assist the homeless and less fortunate with seeking jobs, and developing computer skills to assist in this search.
Caitlin Brown says
IKEA Me!
I would put the money towards investing in outreach programs and shelters for domestic violence. Its absolutely insane how common it is and it effects all people.
kelly says
IKEA ME! I’m an architect, but not yet registered. I would love to volunteer my design skills helping non profits improve their work spaces using what they have. As you two know many spaces can be vastly improved with a bit of paint, a new inexpensive light fixture (from ikea?) and rearranging of furniture.
Yolee says
IKEA ME!!!
I would help the homeless and volunteer at animal shelters.
Courtney says
IKEA ME!
I would do something with kids and the arts. Maybe an afterschool program of some kind.s
Rachelle Sims says
Ikea Me!
If I could take a year~ I would most definately work in our local schools. Our area has been hard hit by the economic crisis, and our schools have last a ton of money~ causing a lot of layoffs within the school. They’re short handed and enrollment is up.
Kim says
IKEA Me
Habitat for Humanity would be my choice
Cindy says
IKEA ME! I would definitely do something with kids. They are our future and we need to guide them in the right direction
Jessica L says
“IKEA Me!” If I had a year to give, I would help domestic violence victims and their families.
Kathryn Turner says
IKEA ME!
I am a middle school science teacher, and as much as I love my kids in Georgia, I would love to go to Africa and teach for a year!
Valerie says
IKEA Me, please!
With a free year and no money worries, I would devote my time to arts education. I have seen firsthand how the arts can help students grasp concepts from math, science and literature, as well as improve critical thinking and communication skills. As funny as it sounds, it is sort of a way to “trick” students into learning something new while they think they are just looking at or creating art :)
Gretchen says
IKEA Me!
I’d use the money to buy brand new, safe, top-of-the-line baby equipment for low income moms. Too often, they rely on hand-me-downs and thrift shops to furnish their babies’ needs. A lot of the equipment has been subjected to recall or is so worn and torn, it is no longer safe. Every baby deserves the best, safest, cleanest start in life.
Mallory says
IKEA ME!
If I had a year to give, I’d love to teach beginning gymnastics classes to young children in low-income areas.
Sarah says
IKEA ME!
I think with a year to devote to helping others, I would focus on mission work and the American Cancer Society.
Lee says
IKEA ME! I would spend the year and money helping people become greener around their work and home.
baltimoremom says
IKEA Me! Love shopping at IKEA and would love winning this! As for what I would do if I had a year to help others, I would work to set up or support existing havens that take in exploited or abused children here in the US or elsewhere in the world.
Courtney says
IKEA ME!!!
If I had a year (and unlimited funds) I would like to start or join an already existing non-profit that rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to be service dogs for the handicapped. I volunteer with a group that does this now and it’s AMAZING!
CarrieO says
IKEA Me!
I’d volunteer in an orphanage. Having my own baby makes me so sad to think of all the babies/kids who don’t have parents. I’d play with them, take care of them, and love them.
Kathryn L says
IKEA ME!
If I could take a year off, I’d love to set up an animal shelter. There is one in my area, but it’s run by the county and it has a really high kill rate. My dog is from that shelter and he is the sweetest creature you could ever meet. It breaks my heart to think of how many animals in that shelter end up being euthanized.
Renae says
IKEA ME!
I’d be able to invest more time in Wyldife (Young Life for middle school students).
Amy says
IKEA ME!
man you get a lot of comments on these things.
and if I had one year I would work to change the laws pertaining to domestic animals in Canada and USA (and rescue them at the same time)
Danae G. says
Ikea me!
I would love to help get homeless people back on their feet through training programs that provide practical and business skills.
kelly says
IKEA Me:)
Holly says
IKEA me! I am starting a new career as a nurse in the NICU, and I’d like to use my knowledge to do volunteer home visits to at-risk pregnant women, so that I can have a part in preventing premature births!
Christie says
IKEA Me!
If I could spend a year helping people, I would start a volunteer organization dedicated to helping high school kids learn to write effective college entrance essays and resumes.
shevon says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer at an animal shelter for sure!
michelle says
Ikea Me! I’d go on missions to N. Korea to help out in the orphanages.