*** 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.
Lindsay says
IKEA ME! I would spend the year in Africa, working with HIV/AIDS patients on treatment and prevention of spreading HIV. I almost went to Africa after I graduated from college and still am dying to go for a year.
Shelby says
IKEA ME!
I have a few that I would love to volunteer to help, I would love to help out Noah’s Ark, a nonprofit that helps abused animals. I would also like to help out at a woman’s shelter, and lastly I have a close friend that is a cancer survivor would love to benefit camp sunshine which gives children with cancer a place to feel at home, make friends, and learn life long skills :).
Anna says
Ikea me! I would love to volunteer my time either working with kids or helping to create creative, functional spaces for kids in local schools that need it.
MJ says
IKEA me! :)
I’d love to spend the year working with lower income students who are socio-economically disadvantaged.
Kelley says
IKEA ME!!! I would open a day care center for single moms that can’t afford childcare.
Eppu says
IKEA ME!
Katie says
IKEA Me!
I would love to help clean up and restore the “unloved” parts of town, especially for those less fortunate who can’t help themselves.
Siebe says
IKEA ME! If I had that money I would help people who want to adopt but can’t afford it. I hate the thought of orphans, when there are people who want them.
Anna Kreyling says
IKEA me! I would work for Habitat.
Kristen says
IKEA ME!
I would spend my year teaching families the importance of financial planning and helping them get out of debt.
Newness says
IKEA Me!
Wow! I haven’t had much time to think of what I’d do with a year and $100K. I’d love to do something with kids. Particularly teens. Maybe teaching them life skills or self esteem building.
rachel p says
IKEA ME! Oh Ikea, how I love thee :)
I would spend my time helping homeless families get back on their feet and care for their families.
Briana says
IKEA Me!
I’d spend the year volunteering for the Water Project!
Tiffany says
Ikea Me Please!!
My mother-in-law runs a chapter of a nationwide organization called Operation Interdependence that is 100% volunteer based and is the most efficient at sending C-Rats (Civilian Rations) to our troops. They’ve shipped to over 2 million troops around the world and have delivered 503 tons of goods to veterans and military families. I have the luxury of being a married, self-employed photographer (meaning I’m an artist not a starving artist :), so I can volunteer all I want, but I would love to be able to filter that money to O.I. so they can send care packages to our troops. It’s easy to forget, unless you have a loved one stationed overseas, that battles are still going on daily and our brave soldiers are putting their comforts aside and risking their lives to protect our freedom. It’s so important to for them to be reminded of home and of our support.
Rachel says
IKEA Me! I would contribute to education in some way.
Laura B says
“IKEA Me!”
If I had a year to do good I would like to try my hand in many areas. I would go to animal shelters, homeless shelters, volunteer for abuse hotlines, childern’s hospitals, ect. There is so much to do!
Jenni says
Ikea Me!
With $100,000 I would work with troubled teenagers. I would want to create a program to help raise their self esteem while also having fun.
Kathy Blake says
IKEA me PLEASE! LOL!
Manda says
Ikea me!!
If I could take a year sabbatical I would start an animal rescue group that helps rehab dogs used in fighting rings!
Sabrina says
IKEA ME! I’d love to spend a year working in the community with those who are searching for jobs in the tough economic climate. I’d love to offer coaching, mentoring and motivational programs to get people “back on their feet” at a local homeless shelter or through places like the library or a local church.
Tara says
IKEA ME!!!
I would spend the year focusing on smaller towns and teaching them the value of locally grown foods and better nutritional choices!
LibbyS says
I’d work in any capacity assisting disadvantaged children or abused animals.
Jessica Mumford says
IKEA Me! I would spend a year providing music therapy to individuals with disabilities, setting up free music therapy clinics across the country, and reaching out to the families of these individuals.
ErinS says
IKEA ME!
I’d volunteer at our local animal shelter.
Tiffany A. says
IKEA ME!!!!
If I could take a year off and volunteer, I would want to stay at the Ronald McDonald house to help families with children in the hospital. To be a volunteer at Ronald McDonald house I would get to stay at the house and provide support to families whose children are in the hospital. I would organize a wish list drive to help get supplies and help with special events. It would feel great to have a year off to help children and families in need.
Jennifer F says
Ikea Me!
There is a place near me that brings in neglected, abused and abandoned kids. I would love to volunteer there! They even have a long-term residential program for older kids that needs volunteers to live there with them in a cottage.
jen says
IKEA ME!
i would like to start therapy through craft – a crafting center to help people work through grief through art, creativity, and community.
Jess says
IKEA me, please! I’d spend a year working on education projects in developing countries.
Lorie says
“IKEA Me!” I would love to have a year to serve our community. I live in Wilmington, Ohio and the recession has hit us hard. Thanks so much for this opportunity!
Daniela says
IKEA ME! I’d spend a year working with abused children, either abroad or here in the US.
Alyson says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer with the children in the area as well as with the local animal shelter They are always in constant need for more volunteers.
Jennifer says
IKEA Me!!
If I could take off a year, I would work with elementary school children and get them into the outdoors and be a role model to them. Hiking, camping, offroading responsibly (yes there is such a thing for people out there who dont think there is). Children need role models that are not some celebrity who makes millions, they need a real life role model who can be there for them everyday.
Bergen says
Ikea me! I would spend my year volunteering with veterans and their families, because I am so thankful for the sacrifices they have made!
Jenn says
Ikea me!
I would love to volunteer for an animal shelter…probably the SPCA here in town. Or maybe even foster dogs from home.
Laura V. says
IKEA Me!
I would love to volunteer at an animal rescue center and get involved in an arts and music program for troubled youth.
Jennifer says
IKEA Me! If I could take a year off I would volunteer for grief counseling
Kelvia says
Please IKEA Me!!! I am a newly wed and my husband and I could do so much with a gift card from IKEA…My ideas are already flowing… I plan on re-doing our office from one of your mood boards!
Laura M. says
IKEA Me! I’d love to help rescue animals.
Kim Early says
“IKEA ME”! Well the thought of somehow being able to help single parents would make me happy. I am one myself and I know that without my friends and family I would not have made it through some of the trials and tribulations I have faced. I am thinking teaching them budgeting, about child care, teenage care and some of the common sense things that you either have or don’t have would be nice. Not only would I be helping families but hopefully making a positive influence on the future. Sometimes the stigma that comes along with a pne parent household is hard and anything I could do to ease that and any other pain would be nice. I am no expert but I could find help.
Nicole says
IKEA Me!
If I could take a year off I would help pregnant teens. I work with teens now (in a school setting) and have a passion for those who need a chance at having a stable life. I would help with life skills, choices and relational aspects of their lives :)
IKEA ME!!!!! says
I would love to to help protect the North Korean refugees and somehow get aide to help them.
Jane says
IKEA me!
I would love to spend a year with a program that helps young mothers finish school – and mentor them…I have 4 kids of my own and lots of experience!
Gargi A says
‘IKEA ME”
Sheila says
I would try to develop a program to incorporate yoga into grade schools and companies/corporations so people can learn to be less stressed and have more inner peace and love.
IKEA ME! Thanks John and Sherry for letting me reflect…
Johannah B says
IKEA Me! I love Ikea, they have things which are timeless – smart, compact and affordable. It’s a great store, oh and I love their cinnamon buns!
1prizewinner(at)gmail(dot)com
Taren says
IKEA ME!!!
I would help my mom, who cooks lunch everyday for senior citizens in our community. I would also volunteer at a local women’s shelter!
Jonathan Akonni says
IKEA ME !
jen says
Ikea me! I would definitely work on hunger issues. It astounds me in this country that we still have so many going through their days and nights hungry.
Sarah says
IKEA ME!
I would open a beagle rescue and take in as many foster beagles as possible. I’d also do work with our local animal shelter (which, sadly, is in danger of closing).
Jennifer F says
Ikea Me!!
My husband and I have been on the waiting list to volunteer for our local food bank. I would definitely do that!!