*** 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.
Ashley says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I try to volunteer with them when I can, but I’d love to be able to commit more time and energy towards finding a cure for cancer!
Christina says
IKEA ME! I have a dream of starting a non profit organization that would throw birthday parties for children who are in the hospital whose families can’t afford to because of medical bills. Event planning plus helping kids equals a dream come true.
Sue W says
IKEA me! I would spend a year volunteering at our Catholic Worker House.
Kim Bernhardtk says
IKEA ME!
My husband has a dream to start a nonprofit to support missionaries that are helping others In need. This way they could spend more time helping others and less time raising funds to support themselves and families.
Jen says
Ikea me!
I’m not sure what I would do, but I do love sewing and making things, so I would probably try to think of a way to incorporate that …
Mary Joy V says
IKEA ME!
I would use my year off to put all of my energy into a cause that I support locally but feel I never have enough time to fully devote myself to. That would be amazing!
Emily says
IKEA ME!
I would spend my year starting a health program that would focus on helping kids and adults in my community improve their overall health by addressing physical, mental, emotional health with classes, support groups and health screenings.
Katy says
IKEA ME!
I would probably start an after-school program for at-risk youth to keep them involved in school and off the streets!
melanie c says
IKEA ME!
i would do pro bono graphic design work for charities and non profits in my community. having a nicely designed, professional look would help boost these organizations!
Jacqi says
IKEA Me! I need a new storage piece.
I would set up a program to empower young women to consider careers in math and science.
Annetta says
IKEA ME!!
I actually work in corporate philanthropy, so my thoughts are numerous on what I’d like to do out in the non-profit, make-the-world better arena. Volunteer for Komen for the Cure? Help a friend grow her chapter of No Woman Left Behind? I’m not sure, but can only imagine the possibilities.
Johannah B says
If I could spend one year helping others, I think I would like to help a few families get on their feet financially. I think many people need financial counseling – how to make and keep a budget, knowing what they can and cannot afford and how to “calculate” that, what do to if they need more, etc. Teaching them ways to get things without spending (making foods from scratch) or maybe not even using “any” money (from barter to re-make/re-use/re-purposing). Organization, utilization, success.
1prizewinner(at)gmail(dot)com.
Kristin says
Ikea Me! I would spend the time kids..reading, the arts, sports.
Natalie B says
IKEA ME!
I’d love to work with children in the after-care after being rescued from trafficking rings.
Sarah says
IKEA me! I’d tutor and volunteer with sports programs for underprivileged kids in public schools.
Jordan Schmidt says
IKEA ME! I would love to find a way to revitalize industrial areas of Richmond into mixed-use, affordable for everyone neighborhoods, where people can work and play where they live.
Tyson says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer at the shelter where we rescued our dog! Such a great place and definitely could use more help!
Hannah A. says
IKEA ME!
I would spend my year raising money and awareness for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and yet is also one of the most underfunded. If anyone is interested in raising their own awareness of this devastating disease visit pancan.org or knowitfightitendit.org.
Melle says
“IKEA Me!”
I would love to work at an orphanage in a poor country.
Natalie says
Ikea and me…are soulmates. Love love love love love love it. They combine frugality with beauty.
If i could take a year off to help anything/anyone, it would be working with children. In any way i possibly could. After having my own wee one, it hurts my heart to see other babies/children in need.
Kimberlea says
IKEA Me!
I would spend a year helping Animal Welfare League with their TNR program in my county.
Carmen says
IKEA ME!! When I get the time, I would volunteer and get my kids to volunteer at our local nursing home. I remember spending time with my grandmother in the nursing home and seeing how much others enjoyed just seeing me walk in.
Jamie P. says
IKEA Me!
If I had a whole year off to volunteer I would really like to spread my time over several of the great local organizations we have – homeless shelters, visiting nursing homes and being involved in providing elder care options, Kids Cafe that serves lunch to low income children, and so many others. I’d also love to help expand the community garden in our area.
Kate says
IKEA ME!
I’m a Registered Nurse and I’d love to spend a year setting up a free wound care clinic in my area!
Jenn R says
Ikea Me! I would split my time between an animal shelter and a women’s shelter in our town.
Nikki says
IKEA ME!
Honestly, I would probably start some sort of a foundation to help with education in Ghana, my dad’s native country. The place has so much potential, and not to be corny, but the kids are the future. All they need is a little more support.
Emily says
Ikea Me!
I would spend a year helping out in an orphanage somewhere :)
Leigh says
IKEA ME!
I would love to spend a year volunteering to help unemployed people find work. I would offer help with resumes, interviewing and presentation skills.
Nicole says
IKEA ME!!
I’d spend a year singing and sharing music with hospice patients.
Denise K says
Ikea Me!!
I would use the year sabbatical and work with Veterans – helping newly returned Vets adjust to civilian life, help injured Vets get the medical services they need, and work with the families of Servicemen & woman while they are deployed.
Colleen says
Ikea Me!
Zack says
IKEA ME!!!!
I’d probably volunteer by traveling around the U.S. and “granting wishes” to the people I see who really need it. Pay someone’s mortgage for the month, help someone buy a new work-wardrobe, give a family a month of groceries, etc.
Katie B says
IKEA me!!! Please!!
With $100k I would work with expanding greyhound rescue and education.
Jennifer D. says
I would start a program for foster children.
elizabeth belt says
ikea me
making sure people had clean drinking water
Sheri says
IKEA me!
Jenna says
IKEA me!
Wow – a year to volunteer – I think I’d like to do something with children – maybe work in an orphanage overseas or with an adoption group here or maybe foster care? Not sure, but that’s an amazing opportunity!
kylee says
IKEA ME! I would spend my time volunteering at animal shelters.
Gretchen says
IKEA me! This is my dream prize. I love Ikea. If I could take a year off, I would start a non-profit consulting non-profit. One that would help small organizations navigate the legal and financial and other day to day tasks that can be challenging when you are starting out.
Stephanie says
IKEA ME!!!!!
I would like to service the children of my home country the Dominican Republic. The children “work” the dangerous streets of the Dominican Republic by begging for change, clothes and food infront of restaurants, any places of business and even knock on the window of your car to bring whatever they gather, back home for their families. My main goal is to start a non-profit organization targeting this huge problem in my motherland. It’s so sad. No child should have to suffer for food and clothing.
Thanks.
jennie says
IKEA ME! if i had a year to volunteer, i’d work as a nurse in a free medical clinic providing care to underserved populations!
Afton says
IKEA ME!
I’ve always been told that you don’t have to think of something completely different from your current occupation in order help people; you just have to see what you do differently. In my state we have legal aid which offers free legal services to the underprivileged. However, some of the services offered are very specific, or those seeking help are slightly too financially “secure” to qualify. I would do something to expand these services to everyone in need.
terra says
IKEA ME!!
I would volunteer to help animals, both domestic and wild. There are so many critters out there that need help and I’d love to devote my time to them.
Natalie says
IKEA ME!!!!
I volunteer at my son’s school helping kids having trouble reading – it would be awesome to be able to do that more!!
Heather says
IKEA ME!!!
I would help my husband start an alternative program for school suspension. My husband is a social worker and it’s his dream. It will happen someday!
Laura Mae says
IKEA ME!
I would start a non profit that helps teen moms build a life and be a great parent.
erin says
IKEA me!
if i could have a year off to do good for my community, i think i would want to volunteer my time at the urban community center just a few blocks away. maybe start a woman’s program helping them learn to grocery shop, cook, and prepare food in a healthy beneficial manner for themselves and/or their family.
Elvira says
IKEA ME!
I would do any kind of volunteer work that involves and helps kids. Preferably I’d go to a place where kids have to work for survival and open up a center where the main focus would be play. In some parts of the world, playing is a luxury for kids. That makes me sad.
jessie burns says
IKEA ME! I’d travel to africa for a year and work in orphanages
Stephanie says
Ikea me!
I would start a food kitchen, but not the regular kind. Last week’s 60 minutes said that food pantries are in high need this season because of high unemployment. I would take the Ikea money and open a kitchen…not an industrial kitchen, but a homey kitchen. I would try to recreate the many kitchens that people have lost when they lost their homes. Food and everything in the kitchen would be provided, and people could help cook or just stop by to eat or take out. I’d also like real chefs/bakers to volunteer cooking classes free to the public.
A real life soup kitchen.