*** 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.
Emily says
IKEA ME! I’d use the time to promote literacy in children AND adults! Reading rocks!
Stacy says
IKEA ME!!
I’d love to start up some kind of program for kids after school… we have great school’s in the area but there’s lots of kids who need some extra tlc.
Shannon says
IKEA ME!
I would set up a clinic in central america, probably honduras, and try to have it branch out into some sort of non-profit chain.
Kevin Paterra says
IKEA ME!
I spend a year developing a program that would work with inner city kids on their math and science skills while using learning projects that help third world countries though basic technology like ground water treatment and wood fired stoves. The project would increase the kids math and science skill to prepare them for college while teaching the lesson of helping others less fortunate and building their self esteem.
Laura says
IKEA ME!
There are lots of things I would like to do…I would like to work with people with chronic medical conditions that need assistance in daily stuff: caring for their families, groceries, prescription bills…Mostly I would want them to tell them about Jesus. :)
peggy says
IKEA Me!!
Nicole says
IKEA me!!
I work in publishing and love reading, so I would spend a year working on a literacy campaign across America.
Amy says
IKEA me!
My husband set up a free rehabilitation clinic for under/un-insured patients. He secured donations of patient tables and rehab equipment and is booked solid. He can only volunteer one day a week and will increase to two in Jan 2011. He would really love to do more for people who are so willing to work hard to be healthy, but don’t have access to doctors or physical therapy. -amy
Laura says
IKEA ME!
I would take a year to help out in developing countries. I’ve always wanted to do it, but financial obligations keep me from doing it.
That gift card, however, would be perfect for the couch we are looking to upgrade.
Malva says
Ikea me!
I would love to take a year off to help dogs. I would want to spend time learning about non kill shelters and rescuing unprivileged dogs.
Lisa says
IKEA me!
Annie says
IKEA ME
If I had a whole year to devote to volunteering I would like to work with mothers in disatvantaged areas.
Darcy says
IKEA ME!! I would donate animal paintings for local rescue group auctions.
Danielle says
IKEA ME!
I’m seriously considering applying for the Project! If I can figure out the budget part, I would find a way to help families eat healthy/learn to cook – maybe something ala Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.
Mary says
create a program to help single moms, widows, etc. resources, etc. with everything from counseling to plumbing issues. love ikea!!!!!!! in the proces of trying to purchase a bunk bed (tromso – twin/full) from them for a young single mom with a toddler and newborn infant living in a 9′ x 11′ room.
Leah says
IKEA ME!
I would help rebuild or renovate animal shelters so they feel more like comfortable temporary homes and not prisons!
AimeeH says
IKEA Me!
I would love to help people create. People’s biggest complaint to me, is how they have no artistic talent. Nonsense! It not only relieves stress but creates a forum for discussion which is healthy for interacting with others about various important subjects going on around us.
alison says
IKEA me!! I would either teach young children how to read, or help institute a program for children with autism in schools to become more integrated socially.
Tara says
IKEA ME!
I’d open up a homeless shelter, but one with a purpose. Hire non-profit staff to help with resumes, help study for GEDs, have a barber/beautician on-call before interviews, try to work with local Goodwill stores/secondhand stores for clothing. And have therapists/rehab programs for those of them that have problems of that sort. I know if I was in their shoes, I’d want a helping hand to get me back on my feet!
lauren landers says
IKEA ME!!!
my husband and i already have plans in the works for raising money to give it away on our 2-month road trip next summer (he’s a teacher and gets summer’s off and i work from home and can easily work on the road). it’d be fabulous to do that for a year. meeting people all over the united states, building relationships and finding real needs to meet.
Missie says
IKEA ME!
I would love to be able to start a non-profit for kids (especially girls) to be empowered and be informed about making good personal decisions and boosting their self confidence!
Holly says
IKEA ME!!
I would like to do something with kids and music. I think music education is so important!
Andi Hays says
IKEA Me!
I’d volunteer at a humane society or library. I love animals, but we don’t have any and I love books!
Karen I. says
IKEA Me!
I would work for Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing.
Mandy says
IKEA Me!
I’d like to work with children and their parents who come from families with more than one generation receiving welfare benefits. I’d like to empower them to break the cycle and improve their lives and the lives of their future generations while also giving back to their community.
TG says
“IKEA ME”
If I had a year off, I would help divorced or widowed women/men with children find resources to rebuild their lives and their children’s lives.
Laura says
IKEA me!
I would love to work with young teens and help them channel any aggression/emotions through writing so that they have a positive outlet!
Kendall says
IKEA ME! I would do something that helps prepare older foster kids for the time when they “age out” of the system.
Christine Martorana says
IKEA me!! I would spend the year providing medical care to those who can’t afford it.
Lisa says
Ikea Me!
I would volunteer for a backpack program through the schools. It’s a program that gives students a bag full of food to help them get through the weekend. Many students depend on school lunches for their food. This program helps them to eat and get nutrition through the weekend. Most of the programs include breakfast, lunch and dinner for Saturday and Sunday! It’s such a great and needed program for a lot of schools! I would be happy to help with that!
Julie P. says
IKEA Me!
My husband and I would love provide food pantries and soup kitchens with good, organic food. We do that by setting up and running community gardens that would feed our community and teach healthy, sustainable practices.
Michelle says
IKEA me! I volunteer at our local Art Museum, but I would love to go to India to volunteer building houses, or teaching English, or doing anything that gets my hands dirty!
Megan says
Ikea Me!
I’d work with parents who have children with disabilities, and assist with home dynamics and daily carry over of therapy strategies.
Amanda says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to create an organization that educates people on the importance of being able to afford to give a child a good life before bringing them into the world. And hopefully do something about it. Otherwise, its just an endless cycle.
ashley says
ikea me! i would teach at inner city schools
Katie says
IKEA ME!
I’d love to set up some kind of bridge program to help seniors coming from less privileged backgrounds be suitably prepped to make the most of their college educations if I had a year to help others.
Amber says
Ikea Me! Dog/animal rescue for sure!
Heather says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year to help others – I think I would work with something along the lines of Habitat for Humanity. Having a safe place to call home is such a HUGE thing for an entire family!
adrienne says
IKEA me!
I’m a nurse, so I think I’d volunteer the year working in a free clinic.
Cara says
IKEA ME!
I’ve often thought about the Peace Corps but if I wanted something a little less intense I would volunteer at the school.
Jamie Racine says
Ikea me!
I love this, such a great way to give back.
Sarah J says
IKEA me!
If I could spend a year helping others, I’d work with our local Association for the Developmentally Disabled group. I worked at ADD camp every summer during high school and college and it was always an extremely rewarding experience. Now that I have a “real” job, I don’t have the flexibility to volunteer for it anymore.
Sarah W. says
IKEA ME!
I would work in the juvenile arbitration system for a year. My fiance is a lawyer and does pro bono work with this and we both agree it is an effective way to show children and teens a world where they are help accountable for their actions in a positive way! (The program my fiance works with has a 90% success rate!)
Regina says
IKEA me!!!!
I would go to Thailand and spend the year counseling young girls who have been rescued from the sex slave industry. I would be a more active participant in ending human trafficking.
http://www.madebysurvivors.com/
Ellen says
IKEA ME! Full time for a year? I would have to think awhile for specifics but it would definitely be something working with less fortunate children.
pam says
IKEA ME!
i would love to travel and help children all over the world, especially those without parents.
Ris says
IKEA ME!
If I could spend a year helping the world and making a difference, I would volunteer in a school, teaching children to read. It breaks my heart that some kids don’t understand the joy of reading.
cara says
Ikea Me!
meagan says
IKEA ME!
I think I need this rug! http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80104862
The new design show that re-vamps schools is totally inspiring to me. I would love to spend a years bringing some color and useful design to kids.
Mae says
Ikea me! I would want to find ways to enrich the lives of low-income children.