*** 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.
Amanda says
Ikea Me!
Gosh, I am not 100% sure what I would do! There’s animals to save and protect, children with cancer, bring sports to disadvantaged children, so many things that I would enjoy- it would be hard to decide what my focus would be!
ryan says
IKEA ME!
Jackie says
IKEA ME!
I’d spend the year volunteering in an animal shelter and promoting animal adoption !!
Jenn says
IKEA ME!!!!
If I could spend an entire year helping someone, I’d love to go to a developing country and teach women how to develop their cultural art and create income for their family.
Yuliya says
IKEA ME!!! Even if I do have to drive over 100 miles to get to one!
I would spend the year teaching people about local food and the slow food movement.
Krysta says
Ikea me!!! I would work with habitat for humanity building homes for people who really need them and then they could check out your blog for decorating advice!!
Jen T. says
IKEA Me!
I would start a mission to rescue dogs from being put to sleep at the pound, so they have plenty of time to find loving homes.
Caroline says
IKEA ME! I’d work with mothers and children who were HIV positive.
Wanda says
IKEA ME!
I’d work with former prostitutes and teach them jewelry making so they can make a living
Danielle@Newlyweds Paradise says
Ikea Me!
I would love to help animals in anyway I can. Heck, I have 5 of my own, all adopted! It would be great to donate money to shelters in my area or organize an event to help raise money for them.
Shyla says
IKEA ME!
There is so much I would want to spend a year doing…starting urban community gardens, helping improve the school system in the so many ways it needs it, providing nutrition counseling to low income families that is within their budget…
I think if I were actually able to do it and forced to make a decision, I would like to work on the get up and Move campaign. It’s so important to get our kids active young and there’s so many ways to do it.
Amy Butler says
IKEA ME!
I would spend my year working to promote literacy in inner cities and on Native American reservations here in the U.S.
Carina says
IKEA ME!!!
Being a micro-preemie mommy I would spend my year helping others in this situation.
Connie says
IKEA ME…I would use it to buy new equipment for the Special Education class that I work in
Liz says
IKEA me!
I’d go back to Africa and hone my skills that I learned while there in the Peace Corps!
Lise says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year to give back without having to 9-5 I would help Habitat for Humanity.
Liz says
IKEA ME!
I would work to make sure low income families have access to adequate, SAFE, baby essentials. Car Seats, Highchairs, Cribs, etc. Too many parents are forced to buy 2nd hand products that are no longer safe.
Courtney says
Ikea me!!! I would tutor young women who are struggling in public schools
Lexie says
IKEA me!!!
I am child and family counselor, so…if I could take a year off I would probably want to something along the lines of working more in the community and developing programs to target at-risk kids and give them access to prosocial activities and resources.
Amanda says
IKEA me!
Gosh, that’s a tough question! I think I’d want to work on alleviating poverty in a disadvantaged country. I once was lucky enough to see first-hand the good that community education projects and programs like Heifer International do in Vietnam, and I really admired it.
Annette says
IKEA Me!
I would work at developing a course in high school to teach money management.
Rachel says
IKEA ME!
I would love to start an adult literacy program or work with non-native English speakers as a tutor.
Hailey says
IKEA me!
I’m the Raleigh Chapter Director (a volunteer position) for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs – a group that builds free fences for people whose dogs live continuly outdoors on chains. We also provide (& require) spay/neuter surgery & vaccinations. Check out tiger’s video … it is the best way to really explain what we do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYpE7_JIjlo
With the $100,000 I’d work full time with the Coalition & hire a couple other people to work full time on unchaining dogs & continuing to expand to other areas of the country. :)
Stephanie says
Ikea me!
I would mentor youth in foster care.
Kat says
Ikea me!
I’d use my skills to provide vet care to working animals in the developing world.
eys says
IKEA ME!
katie says
IKEA ME PLEASE!!!!
If I could volunteer for one year I would love to help rescue animals, but also help people understand the importance of spaying/neutering pets. I can’t stand the thought of sweet helpless animals being put down for no reason!!! THANKS!
stephanie brough says
IKEA ME!!!
I would help high school students within Philadelphia to increase their skills for post-secondary education or vocational education. Students within the city are scoring well below grade level in reading & math. When they graduate from high school they are not prepared enough to make it in the real world. This is why, more than likely they end up selling on the streets on in prison. Something needs to be done, to help those students who need it the most!!!
erika says
IKEA ME!
Kat says
IKEA ME!
Wow, a year sabbatical would be so cool! I would love to work with a community health group working on environmental health interventions.
Meg says
IKEA Me!
Oh how I love Ikea! :)
I would work with teenagers at the local high school. So often, they need a trusted adult to listen and support them!
Alexis C says
IKEA me!
I just finished nursing school in May so I would just keep the job I have now as a nurse!
Allison says
IKEA ME
I would work in with an animal rescue!
Ashleigh says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year traveling to developing countries to help with clean water projects. That is something I would probably never get to do otherwise!
Amy says
IKEA me!
Toss up between working in a no-kill animal shelter or tutoring at-risk kids.
Jacki says
IKEA me!
I’d work with educational programs for either kids or women.
Beth says
IKEA ME! I would create an after school technology program using inexpensive computers with kids in underprivileged areas.
Andie says
IKEA ME!
I’d do work with Austin Pets Alive! and use the 100,000 to help make Austin a no-kill city. They rescue dogs that are scheduled for euthanasia that day and get them healthy and adopted.
Kelly H says
IKEA ME!!
I would like to combine a love of animals and children into an after school program teaching children the value of helping others through animal shelters in the area.
Jeanna says
IKEA me!
Stephanie says
IKEA ME!!
If I could go abroad I would love to spend a year volunteering at Restoration Gateway in Uganda.
If I had to stay here I would probably work with children of deployed soilders sinse I am so close to an army base.
Thanks for the chance!!
DemMom says
IKEA ME! Please!
If I had one year and $100,000 I’d either:
-help families of sick children (who have to spend days, weeks, etc. in the hospital and can’t work)
-Do something along the lines of “Hoarders,” but without the TV/advertising piece. I think that hoarding is so much more than “being messy,” people need mental health and social service help and I’d like to help them get it to avoid all the physical and psychological problems living in a disaster can cause.
Jessica says
IKEA me!
I would spend a year working as a volunteer for under privileged schools in Washington, DC.
Amy says
IKEA me! I would fix up homes in the underserved and dilapidated neighborhoods of my town.
Nicole Y. says
IKEA ME!!!
I think I’d want to open up a place where girls can feel safe to share their struggles, stories and triumphs. Perhaps in a Third World Country, but there are plenty of the same needs right here in the States.
Jenne Barbour says
IKEA Me!
I would become a full-time CASA advocate. I’m not one yet, but it’s on my lifetime to-do. I want to give a stronger voice to children who need help.
ashley says
IKEA ME! (oh please! lol)
i’d definitely want to do something with dog rescue or an animal shelter!
Tiffany B. says
IKEA me!
mandy says
IKEA me! I’m not sure, but the opportunity to help others would be great!
Jennifer says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the year helping people on the MS Gulf Coast and in New Orleans who are still trying to re-build after Hurricane Katrina