*** 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.
Susannah says
IKEA ME!
I would open a school to serve under-privileged, inner-city youth. They are our future!
Joey B says
IKEA ME!
I would love to be a part of habitat for humanity.
Sarah Beckham says
IKEA ME!
I’d love to take a year traveling to different children’s hospitals with my dog (he’s a certified Canine Good Citizen) and visit sick children or cancer patients.
Sherri says
IKEA ME!
Ashley says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year to spend helping someone or something I would read with students and families and deliver books to families and students who don’t have books at home.
Angela Lewis says
IKEA ME!!!!
I would take a year to work with the Chimpanzee in Gombe National Park. It has been a dream of mine since I was little.
Angela A says
Ikea Me!!!
I would go back to my home country, Ecuador, and start an organization to get children without homes out of the streets. Everytime I go home, it breaks my heart seeing so many of them.
Gail says
IKEA me!
I would work with senior citizens in a senior care center, showing them how to use computers and internet to record the stories of their lives–their experiences, their learnings, their ups and downs, their beauty.
Stacey says
IKEA me!!
If I was given the opportunity, I would love to work with schools in areas that are in need of additional support.
Kaylan says
Ikea Me!!!!
If I could volunteer for one year, I would love to help animals or help children in a poverished country. I find other cultures facinating, that’s why I would like to go to another country.
Kristie says
I would want to help at a women’s shelter take care of children from abused homes. I would want to show them what real love looks like.
Ali says
IKEA Me! I would volunteer for the American Cancer Society and work with tutoring inner city kids on their reading.
Kelly says
Ikea me!
A library in a nearby, struggling neighborhood just opened thanks to a grssroots effort. Everyone deserves free access to information.
Its hours our limited, so as a librarian, I would like to be there for that community, especially the children and teens.
LaurenU says
IKEA Me!
I would take a half year (so I could pay for my husband and I to both take off) and go to Africa and volunteer in an orphanage and learn their culture. I would hopefully be able to adopt and come back to teach others about the opportunities to adopt in Africa.
Meg says
IKEA ME, PLEASE!!! :)
I’d spend the year helping underprivileged children learn reading and math skills.
ashleen says
IKEA ME!! I would love to work with animals
Beth says
IKEA ME!
I would love to work training seeing eye dogs. I think it is so amazing that animals can help people that way.
Alyssa says
IKEA ME!
I would love to rescue dogs. I already volunteer a few times a week at a shelter, but I would really love the dedicate me life to it.
Ashli says
“Ikea Me!”
I would help the illiterate learn the joys of reading!
Erica says
IKEA ME!!!! I would spend my year doing educational camps in developing countries for children with type one diabetes
Sarah Bowen says
IKEA Me!
I would do something with Latino immigrants. I am not sure what I would do, exactly, although I have spent a lot of time thinking about this. Probably something related to children and education or related to food and agriculture.
chelsea says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to work in third world countries teaching Microcredit or education. Both have the ability to change the world.
Lauren says
IKEA me! I wouldn’t want to leave my current job as a teacher, but i would continue to do it for $100,000!
Stephanie H says
IKEA Me! If I could take a year off, I would work on initiatives in my city to create healthier communities (i.e., access to healthy food, safe housing, transportation, etc.)
Maria says
IKEA ME!
I would love to volunteer my time to a local school that needs extra hands.
Molly E says
IKEA ME!
I’m doing it this year!!! I quit my corporate job and am teaching 2nd grade at a public charter school in Washington DC!
Aida says
Ikea Me!!
I would volunteer at a daycare program that allows underprivileged moms to return to work and better the lives of their families.
marianne says
ikea me!
if could take 1 year off, i would get involved with the First Lady’s Let’s Move campaign to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic.
Courtne Huffman says
IKEA ME!
I would love to help bless families with young children that are struggling.
Ashley Richard says
Ikea Me!!
I would travel around and spend my time, effort, and money helping veterans and military families. As a military wife, I understand the sacrifices that are made on the homefront. If I could do something to make their lives a little easier, it would be amazing!
chelsea says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to work in poor parts of the world where children aren’t privileged to have a good education. I read Three Cups of Tea and was inspired by his idea.
Kate says
IKEA Me!
I would use a free year to work with children’s organizations!
Vicki M says
I’d spend my year mentoring high school students. So many of them need a positive role model, I don’t think a year would be enough!
Katy K. says
IKEA me!
I am an OT grad student and I currently work at a non-profit karate dojo teaching karate to kids with special needs. I would love to further develop and expand that program!
Tara says
IKEA Me!
I would help supply groceries to those in need.
Melissa says
IKEA ME!!!
I would help repair houses for those who can’t physically or financially make the repairs themselves.
Susan says
Ikea me…I would volunteer at a no-kill cat shelter they have in the next town. Or maybe the huge animal shelter in Utah.
katy says
IKEA me!
I would love to start an after-school mentorship program to work on building up self-esteem and confidence among teenage girls, helping them to build positive relationships with one another. The crazy high school girl drama is ridiculous, and as a high school teacher I witness it firsthand!
Nicole says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer full time for animals who need care. Wildlife and domestic.
Kristie says
IKEA ME!
I would want to help at a women’s shelter take care of children from abused homes. I would want to show them what real love looks like.
Wendy says
IKEA ME!! I am a teacher and would love to continuing helping inner city students prepare for high school.
jodi says
“IKEA Me!”
My friend adopted a little boy from Ethiopia recently. After hearing the stories and seeing the pictures of what little the live with, I would definitely need to do something over there. I realize there are people here that need help but my heart tells me to help there. The heart wants what the heart wants.
Sherry L says
Ikea Me! With 100K I would work internationally in developing counties to improve literacy and provide safe drinking water.
Ally Van Iten says
IKEA ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would spend time with people in society who are ostracized and experience the least amount of love in their lives (orphans, single mom’s, people with obesity, and senior citizens) pure…simple…time with people who need love.
Emily says
IKEA ME!
Oh, yes, please!
I think I’d spend each month somewhere different. Animal rescue one month, feeding the hungry the next…that sort of thing. If I had to choose one, I’d make my fiance decide b/c I’m too indecisive. :p
Easily Inspired says
IKEA ME! I would spend the year working toward building a more sustainable food system, specifically working towards implementing food stamp accessibility at our farmers markets and increasing participation in community gardens! I’d also organize my follow condo-dwellers into putting a roof top garden on our roof.
Jen says
IKEA me!!
A year off . . . I have a child that I spend every day with. What greater community service is there?
Carrie says
IKEA ME!!!!
If I were given the opportunity I would work with a Mental Health organization, helping people with problems learn to cope with them and work in the outside world.
Nessa says
IKEA ME!!
I would find a way to help single moms… a nonprofit group that used moms to help other moms. A center where you can log hours of babysitting to get hours of babysitting for yourself.
Erin says
IKEA Me!
I would spend the time with my local church, helping wherever they needed.