*** 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.
J. says
IKEA Me!
I’d move to Haiti for a year and help develop a remote village.
April says
IKEA ME!!!
My fiance and I are working on a plan for him to retire and devote his time to mission and outreach work focusing on the incarcerated, newly released and those that may find themselves locked up if their life doesn’t change. I will keep working while he does this but we would use the money to set up a scholarship program for convicts and children of convicts that could be used for conventional education or job training of some kind.
I love that Ikea is doing this. Yay for them!
Linda says
Ikea ME!
I already volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and it would be nice if I could dedicate more time towards that cause!
Aleah says
IKEA me! I would probably work with the homeless.
kat says
Ikea me!!
Clean drinking water is taken for granted here in America…so many don’t have it. I would like to see more clean water wells open up around the world.
Courtney says
IKEA ME!
If I could, I think I would like to help out at a home for mother’s preparing for adoption.
Megan says
IKEA ME!
I would donate my time and money to saving turtles of all kinds…sea turtles, desert tortoises, etc.
Julie says
IKEA Me!!!
If I had a year to help others, I would move down to the camp that my parents own in Bolivia, South America, and do classes with the local women on crafting, cooking, etc….and I’d start a jam making business there.
Sarah Bennett says
IKEA Me!
If I could spend one year helping others, I would volunteer at “Meals on Wheels” for my local chapter (http://www.sheboyganmealsonwheels.org/).
Lindsey Contant says
“IKEA me, please!!”
Hmmm tough question. There are so many ways to help!
My mom and I were actually talking the other day about starting up a company that made dinner for those in need. Our church has had many, many people whom are sick lately, and are unable to cook for their families. We have been making lasagnas and taking them over to our fellow church members houses to bless them. Lasagna is one of the easiest and yummiest meals to make, and almost everyone loves to eat it! I think if money would permit us, we would make dinners for many more families in need. You never know when a good lasagna could brighten someones day!
Rachael says
IKEA ME!!!
I would volunteer at an animal shelter or start my own! ; )
Kelsey D says
IKEA ME!
I would work for a year to contuie to build a current oragnization I currently volunteer with that promotes healthy values, morals and self esteem for grade school girls as well as promoting the benefits of running for not only the health benefits, but also the self achievement!
Melrose V says
“IKEA Me!”
I would like to help out the local women’s center. They help women with all aspects of life after leaving an abusive relationship.
Thanks YHL!
Sarah M. says
IKEA ME!
I’ve recently become obsessed with infant carseats, and the proper use of them. I’d love to not only help people know how (and when) to use them properly, but be able to donate ones to people who need them.
Brigid says
“IKEA me!”
If I had a year to strictly volunteer, I would divide my time between the Head Start program that we have helped at the holidays, the non-profit that a dear friend runs that serves an impoverished neighborhood and doing whatever would help make a difference.
Bridget =) says
IKEA ME!!!!!
If I had a year off, I’d stay home and get my house organized, and spend more time with my children…
diane says
“IKEA me! I would love to spend a year fixing up and decorating military housing for those who are waiting for their spouses to return safely. These families struggle to live on a very meager salary and attempt to turn a rental or military housing into a home every year or so. They (mostly women)have the same needs as those of us who are not, but for the grace of God, in their position and that is a safe, beautiful space to call their own. We all know how much a clean, cheerful and functional home can become a respite from all that is out there. I would love to honor their sacrifices and do this even if no contest was involved and, who knows, I just may.
barb says
IKEA ME!
It would take me some time to figure out what I would do for that year. Maybe do adoption events weekly for various animal shelters, i am not sure yet. but wow, what an honor it would be to use a year with ikea to help out society. i think thats great!
Krys72599 says
IKEA ME! I already volunteer for one hour a week reading to second graders in a local school. If I could, I would love to spend a year working with a literacy program of some kind, in an effort to instill a love of reading and books in today’s children. So many of them are now being raised in front of the television, with a video game in one hand and a remote control in the other, that they forget how to use their own imagination to picture all the worlds available in books. I want to teach them to picture the story, learn how to pretend, and learn that reading can be FUN – it’s NOT just for school!!!
ashleyD says
IKEA Me!
i would volunteer at our local abilities unlimited thrift store. i’d love to go in and reorganize so they could make maximum profit.
Caroline says
IKEA Me!!
I would love to start some sort of afterschool art program. I had the opportunity growing up to join painting classes and it really gave me my own sense of creativity and a very welcome escape.
Karen says
IKEA Me!
If I could take a year off to help people, I would love to work with parents and teach them how to empower their children and build healthy self-esteem for the future.
Pvue says
Ikea me!!!!
O-m-g!!! I could do wonders!!
Rebecca says
Ikea Me! What a great giveaway! My dream year off for charity would be to start a box turtle rescue. I know, it’s a little offbeat. They’re not as soft and furry as some other potential rescue critters, but those little shelled guys really pull at my heart strings.
anna says
IKEA ME:)
I’m a foster mom (for animals) and helped a friend start up a local animal shelter. I’d spend that year continuing my efforts with her at the animal shelter.
Elaine says
IKEA ME!
I’d foster a child or two and teach them how to plant, grow and harvest a garden.
KAtie says
IKEA ME! I’d spend the year teaching English to Hispanic residents in our community.
Rachel Reiboldt says
IKEA me!
I would spend a year working with young girl’s to help them find self-confidence and value themselves.
Allison says
IKEA Me!
I love volunteering at my kids school but if I were to go for something a little outside that I would choose doing something for babies in the hospital and their families. My first child was in the NICU for five weeks after he was born and I still really appreciate all of the little things that were done for us during that time.
cj says
IKEA me!!! I’d help out more at our local animal shelters, especially with adoption events. I used to do more and need to again. Seeing those little wagging tails when you give them a little love is just the best!
Brande says
IKEA ME!
I just found your blog and I love it! if I had a year off I would spend more time with my Grandma fixing up her house to make it more safe for her. She took me and my sister in when our mother died when we were little…I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. she deserves a nice safe home.
Cori says
IKEA me!
I would definitely volunteer at an animal shelter, or do something with animals – animal rescue, something.
Jennifer Siekiersky says
IKEA me!
I would love to open a free law firm for low income citizens in my city. I would provide support for victims of domestic violence and their families.
Michelle says
Ikea me!
I would spend a year helping families deal with the loss of their sole provider to cancer.
Kelly Allen says
IKEA ME!
I’d spend a year traveling with my family to different countries doing service such as building schools and homes and teaching them about gardening and other things that would make them more self sufficent. I saw on Oprah that a family did this and thought it was so wonderful. They really taught their children the importance of service and gratitude.
Eric says
Ikea Me!!!
Mira says
IKEA me! I would spend time helping Hispanic children having trouble with learning English.
AppleTree says
IKEA ME!
I teach at a facility for displaced teenage boys. I’d love to spend a year developing an animal fostering partnership between the facility and local animal shelters.
tabitha says
Ikea Me!
I would either do a dog rescue or go on a mission trip and help under priviledged children and families.
Jill says
IKEA ME! Pretty please!
If I could take a year off, I would help low income people with legal needs. I am an attorney, and I am often disappointed at the number of clients we have to turn away because they cannot afford our services. I would love to have a chance to help people with small legal matters, or matters that other attorneys won’t take b/c there is no profit in it.
Danielle Arnold says
IKEA ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please! I love love love Ikea! Too much probably! lol!
One year..hhmmm.. I like volunteering with different places, salvation army, humane society, picking up trash, planting trees, but those or 6months or less..hmmm.. I’m not sure what I’d do for a full year though! I think I’d like to have something to do with kids though. I live in the Seattle, WA area so I’d put it towards helping troubled youth.
Amy says
IKEA ME! I would spend my time working with Habitat for Humanity and also volunteering at animal shelters. I would pick up a route transferring animals from overcrowded shelters that are at risk of being euthanized to a safer place at “no-kill animal shelters.”
Stephen says
IKEA me!!!
I would create a leadership training and retreat center.
Joe A. says
IKEA Me!
serving at a food kitchen. yes, this is why I need your guys’ help, not the most creative guy!
wei says
Ikea Me,
I’ll volunteer in animal shelter
katie says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to spend a year at a homeless shelter. We currently volunteer at a soup kitchen and I would love to turn it into a more involved project.
Jessica G. says
Ikea me! I would work with City Harvest, who provides food for needy New Yorkers. No child should ever have to go hungry.
Kristelle says
IKEA Me!
My fiance is in music production and we want to open an after-school music program for inner city children/teens.
Kathy says
IKEA Me!
I would love to use my photography to help out those that need it. Portraits of kids in the hospital with their families. Giving faces to children on the street or in foster care. Portraits of the animals in shelters. So much to do!
Julie A says
IKEA Me! I would help children with additional reading programs in schools or after school.