*** 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.
Lydia says
IKEA Me!
I would devote my year to working at our local food bank and at our no-kill animal shelter.
Angela says
IKEA ME!
I would like to do volunteer work that benefits our veterans.
Erin says
Ikea Me!!!
I would work with orphans in Africa! I’ve done it before and would LOVE to be able to spend a year doing it again!
Sandy says
IKEA Me!
And I would spend a year working with at-risk middle school girls, helping them to prepare for life after school (high school or beyond). Connecting young teens and tweens to successful strong women who were also awkward misfits at some point in their lives seems like a productive crossroads. I’ve seen these relationships form before and they can be transformative!
glamgranola says
IKEA me. please. I ‘d love to volunteer at local schools to educate kids on dealing with bullies.
Allison Leedie says
IKEA ME! I’m in grad. school right now, for education, so I would volunteer in a school.
Aliso says
IKEA me!
I would spend a year working with my family’s non profit in West Africa — building wells, providing mirco loans, etc.
Heather says
IKEA ME!! :) I would probably start a program for at-risk youth in the city I live in. There aren’t really many programs and unfortunately a lot of at-risk youth. The gang population is growing rapidly, so it would be great to get them off the streets and into a positive program/atmosphere!
Kate says
IKEA me!
I would do something with public schools to help increase parent involvement and education. As a public school teacher in a low-income school I know we need all the help we can get and it starts at home . . .
Hilary S says
IKEA Me! I’d start a program that helps kids discover the magic of the natural world and inspires them to live green.
Lisa Boshell says
IKEA ME!! I would love to help drill and set up wells in underdeveloped African countries. It would be amazing!
sunnymama says
Ikea ME!
I would go to a third world country!
Ashley Vice says
IKEA Me!
I would focus non-profit efforts on career and training education for children as well as job resources training for adults. Too many people don’t know how to make a resume or fill out an online application. Helping someone change careers or improve their quality of life can be as easy as showing them how to set up a gmail account or use Microsoft word. For school children, educating them on federal financial aid for college, scholarship and work study resources and job hunting for after school and summer positions could mean the difference between a college or training program graduate and a drop-out with little to no prospects for employment.
Educating children on these resources also sends the information home to their parents who may benefit from it equally. The most important goal of a project like this would be to show adults that there is no reason to be ashamed to ask questions and learn new things. Starting a new career or finding a job after a layoff is intimidating enough without shame and fear added to it.
Lara says
IKEA ME!
It’s overwhelming to think about, but I know I’d love to start or fund a dog rescue.
Angie says
Ikea Me! I would join the rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
Cynthia Waters says
IKEA ME! I would start a micro-loan project in my won city Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We have some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada, and much like in other places such as Africa and India I know there are likely people, especially women who would be able to use small loans for small businesses and entrepreneurial endeavours. Hopefully, that micro-loan project would become self-sustaining and carry on for years to come. I would also use the money to donate help subsidize day-care spaces at the YMCA in Hamilton, so moms and dads do not have to worry about who will look after their kids while they are working.
Emily G says
IKEA me! I would volunteer in a shelter for battered women to help them with social services and educational pursuits.
kristina says
ikea me!
i would like to spend some time helping abused/neglected kids, and show them that it’s possible to grow up like that but not turn into a statistic,
stephanie says
IKEA Me!
I would spend a year helping children’s school programs: Raising money for school programs, the arts, music, books, physical education, creative writing programs and more!
kylee says
Ikea Me!
I would love to help orphans and disadvantaged children.
Jess says
IKEA ME!!! Seriously…I was just on their website making a list today.
I would volunteer at a Crisis Pregnancy Center.
Lauren says
“IKEA Me!”
I would want to work for Habitat for Humanity or similar to help build housing.
jen long says
IKEA ME!
i would help the families of children who are hospitalized. i can’t imagine the sadness of having to choose between staying with your child and needing to go to work to keep your family afloat.
Krissy says
IKEA me!
A one-year sabbatical – wow. I would have a really hard time deciding. I think I’d get involved with CARITAS to help the homeless here in Richmond.
Elisa @ What the Vita says
IKEA me!!
If I could take a year off, I would advocate for signing for deaf children and teaching free ASL classes for parents of deaf babies! I would also love to set up a website full of lesson plans targeted to deaf students :)
Amanda Black says
IKEA ME!!! I would volunteer to help women who are going through chemotherapy, by running errands, cleaning houses, bringing meals, etc.
Haley says
IKEA ME!!!!!!!!! We just moved into a new home and it’s in desperate need of some IKEA-IZATION!
Dana says
IKEA ME!
I would continue working for the non-profit I work for, Hungry for Life. We mobilize teams to go serve worldwide! We would use the money to further the projects we already work with around the world!
erica R says
Ikea Me!
Jackie Kwon says
IKEA ME! I’d love to take in a bunch of foster kids.
Raylan says
Ikea Me!
I would love to volunteer at Camp ASCCA (Alabama’s Special Camp for Children & Adults). I think it would be a life-changing experience!
Kat says
Ikea me!!! I would start a non-profit that fundraised money to give grants to families who are adopting children. It’s expensive to bring kids to their families!
Kenna says
IKEA ME!
That’s a tough question. I’m not exactly sure in what form it would manifest itself but I would serve others in a way that pointed them to Jesus Christ. I hope that is happening in my life every day even now!
Jennifer says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer at an animal shelter with my son.
Becky Schulte says
Ikea me!
I must admit I don’t know what I would do for a year to help others. I teach elementary school so I kinda feel like I already do what I would choose to do. I would love to use the money to pay for an afterschool program at our school for our troubled kids.
Randy says
IKEA mE!!!! I worked at a pet store (no dogs or cats except for humane societies – no puppy mill dogs) for 5 years and did a college community service project with our local humane society so I would continue that. I have a passion for animals and work for any no-kill shelter that needed my help. (ex – fundraisers, walks, even cleaning kennels!)
Haley says
If I had 1 year off I would work with children battling serious illnesses in order to help fulfill their dreams. Whether it be visit Disney World or meet a famous baseball star – helping them get that chance would mean the world to them!
Emily says
IKEA ME!!!!
If I had a year off I would move to Tijuana, Mexico and build houses for the poverty stricken families there. I had the chance to go build one this summer and it was an amazing experience.
Kelly says
IKEA ME!
I’m not sure exactly how I’d do it…but I’d love to help orphans in South America.
Sarah says
IKEA me! I would work to help orphans and aid families looking to adopt.
Shannon says
Ikea ME!
One year to help… I would help organize the local farmers in my area and try to get a sustainable farmers market going with a functioning CSA.
Jenny says
IKEA Me! My heart goes out to the battered women’s shelters and those that arrive with small children. They are trying to save them from the chaos in their lives. I would love to donate everyday supplies they would need for their children. When they leave in the middle of the night or at a moments notice, you can’t take everything that you would need. Suppling things such as formula, diapers, toys, hygiene kits, etc. would be wonderful!
lacey says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer my time to young children with learning disabilities.
Emily says
Ikea me!
I was just married and need to turn my new house into a home. (Read: not a bachelor pad)
Aviva says
Ikea Me! :) I would love to work with spay/neuter programs in my area – no more homeless pets!
Melody says
IKEA ME! I’d spend a year helping homeless animals find homes. =)
Tuqs says
IKEA ME!
I would take a year off to help AIDS victims in Africa…
Emily S says
Ikea me!
I would love to spend a year working with the poverty stricken individuals in my own city.
Meena says
IKEA Me! I would like to do something for underprivileged kids.
Emily f. says
Ikea me!!!! If I could have a year to help, I would work to improve access to the justice system for folks with limited means. Thanks!