*** 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.
Caitlin @ That House on the Corner says
“Ikea ME!”
Wow, that could give us a real head start on our kitchen remodel!
If I had a year off I would surely do something to help rescue animals and educate people about the problems with backyard breeding while encouraging people to always spay and neuter their pets.
Additionally, I’d love to volunteer to bring pets to assisted living homes and hospitals. We used to always take our poodle in to see my grandmother there and it make everyone there light up. It was so rewarding that something as simple as playing with a cute little rescue pooch could make their day, hell, even their week.
I haven’t taken her in since my grandmother’s passing, but I think you inspired me to get out there and start doing that again. Thank you.
xoxo,
Caitlin
Kelly C says
IKEA ME!
If I had a year off I would volunteer at an animal shelter and give some well-deserved love and attention to the abandoned animals.
Desiree says
IKEA me!
I would train to be a doula to ensure that women know their rights and their options when it comes to childbirth.
Jessica J says
IKEA me!
Suzanne says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer at my church more, such as the food pantry. And sit with the little NICU babies at our local hospital. They always need people to hold the left behind sweet, sweet babies.
Jamie M M says
“IKEA Me!” (this makes me drool, i was JUST flipping through their catalog making a wishlist of items to help me organize my office/craft/sewing/guestroom that is a mess right now!)
I think a year would go by too quickly, i would want to help children’s organizations, and animal rescues, but i’d wanna help the elderly too! Ah there’s so much to do!
Amanda says
Ikea Me!
I would love to create a charity to raise money for the Children’s receiving home and nursery in my community.
Maybe something involving selling donated handmade items?
Paula Wirth says
IKEA Me! If I could do anything for a year, I would teach technology and digital arts to underserved kids in a well-appointed computer lab — I love doing this…
Christina says
IKEA ME!
Gosh, if I had a year off paid I would volunteer my time at the local animal shelters. Although it will be hard not to bring every pup home with me!
Ryan Kokemor says
IKEA ME!
Angeline says
IKEA ME!
If I could take an entire year off and dedicate it to others, I’d work with underprivileged women, helping them find opportunities to be independent, confident, safe, and enabling them to take care of themselves and their families, through education (traditional academia and life skills, like nutrition, financial planning), job training and search help, and just general confidence building! In so many areas and communities, women aren’t given the opportunities or tools to be independent, which is a shame–they have so much to offer our society!
kelly says
IKEA Me!
I would do emergency disaster relief work…
Kristi W says
Ikea me (please). :)
If I had one year, I would do MANY different charitable things. I’d donate photography sessions to families with sick children. I know the photos provide great memories for the families. I’d also volunteer at the animal shelter. I’d help walk dogs, play with cats, and also volunteer to take photos of each pet for the website. Finally, I’d spend time with families in the cancer ward at my local hospital. I’ve been in that situation before, and I know that people really appreciate having someone to talk to.
Katie H. says
IKEA ME!!! I would spend my time helping feed hungry kids:)
Nicole C says
IKEA ME!
I would love to take a year off and volunteer in a Russian orphanage. A family member adopted from Russia a few years ago and hearing her stories made me want to jump on a plane and take all the little babies home with me.
Kathy says
IKEA me!
Habitat for Humanity would probably be top of my list. Or teaching English and/or life skills in a 3rd world country.
Amanda says
IKEA ME!
I want to create a documentary film on my hometown in rural Ohio. Over the past year, it has lost its school, bank, and post office due to the economy. Part of this documentary will include interviewing members of the community, including many of my own family members who have lived in this town their entire lives. I would like to transform the now-abandoned school into a community center where farmers can sell produce and educational programs can flourish. As for the final documentary, it will be available for all community members and will serve as a reminder to future generations.
McCaulie says
IKEA ME!!
Wowzers this is a fabulous giveaway – THANK YOU!! Anyway if I were to volunteer it would have to be at an animal shelter, though I think I’d want to bring all the cuties home!!
MeganS says
IKEA Me!
I would like to spend the year traveling around the country volunteering at animal rescue shelters.
Cynthia says
IKEA me!
I’d love to get back into volunteering for a great local org – 826valencia.org. They’re part of an awesome national group that serves city youth, helping them with homework, teaching them to love reading, and nursing writing talents!
Gwen says
IKEA ME!
If I had a year off to help others, I think I would work with programs such at Team in Training, Back on My Feet, and Girls on the Run to support their program missions while also helping myself further my athletic and philanthropic goals! Win win!
Joni Tyrrell says
IKEA me!
I would love to be able to drop everything, travel, and do some kind of missions trip helping people.
Kristin G says
Ikea Me!
I’d take a year to love and pet and kiss all cute kitties that needed lovin’s. Okay, so maybe not just hug and kiss, but I would definitely love to open some sort of animal shelter.
As always, love the site, love the giveaways and love the cute baby.
Dawn says
If I had a year to volunteer doing something that’s worthwhile and important. I’d work with the homeless, trying to give them hope!
Rebecca says
IKEA Me!
I would build a adapted sports facility for kids with disabilities.
Jaclyn says
Ikea me!
I’d like to help our wounded service members and their families.
Emily says
Ikea me!
I’d love to work with a non-profit who helps place homeless families. Whether its a rescue mission/rehab type of thing, or a habitat for humanity type of thing.
shelly swope says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year to help the world, I would focus on low-income housing communities – so many of those individuals have stories and desperate needs – they are at times the “outcasts” and are deserving of ever so much more than that!
Autumn says
Ikea me!
I would love to volunteer to visit patients and folks in nursing homes who don’t get any visitors. I would also spend time working at a homeless shelter or in schools to help tutor kids.
maddy hoe says
IKEA ME!
I just took a step toward my dream by accepting a job at a non-profit, salary is low but helping people is worth it! OH and I could use that ikea gift card to spruce up the new work space :)
Emily says
IKEA ME…
My husband and I would love to travel and film people already doing things to help out different communities and cultures. Then come home, make sweet videos out of the footage and help them raise more money to keep doing what they’re doing.
Roxanne! says
IKEA ME! Whoo!
Definitely after school programs. I know that I could have used that kind of stability and support as a child. OMG – After school programs helping animals! Yes, this. :-D
Emily says
IKEA me!
Traveling to countries that need people to help in places like orphanages.
whit says
Ikea Me!!!!
I’d spend the year in Africa, working as a missionary.
Kristen A. Evans says
“IKEA MEE MEEE”
wow a year off and 10,000.. first comes to mind the idea of grand things that could happend and a major change that all could experance. the idea of opening a Rescue center for horses, with the economy in the state that it is at the moment, the need for horse caregivers have increased….. the idea is simple.. people can donate or the use of teamwork from vets and rescue centers to save the unwanted horses.. Then after they are rehabilitated and trained. They will be used for therapy for people with health issues, disabilities and other things that would not able them to ride a horse. There is just a power that a horse can change the soul.
Erin N. says
Ikea me! Oh man, what would I do for a year? I’d love to help (specifically low-income) women improve their job skills or education.
Thanks for the contest!
Sarah says
IKEA me :)
If I could take a year off to help others… I’d love to travel the world working with non-profits to built homes for those in need.
Rob says
IKEA Me!
I would help with an after school program that gets the kids outside moving and listen to all the kids.
Kate says
IKEA ME!
I would help out at no-kill animal shelters.
Stacey says
ikea me!
i would spend the year helping to mobilize and revitalize my neighborhood.
Jamie says
IKEA ME!!!
I’d love to spend time working with women on bedrest for extended periods of time in the hospital’s antepartum!
Veronica H. says
IKEA ME! If we had a year to serve, we (my husband and 3 girls) would choose to do something to help pregnant mothers. Spend all day cooking to get at least one meal to every baby born in our town everyday, make new baby baskets, hold postpartum mom’s groups, pregnancy mom’s groups, new dads groups, etc. It would be great!
Eunice says
IKEA ME!
I would rescue animals for a year.
Lindsay H says
IKEA me!!
I would start an after school program for underprivileged kids in the district I work at.
sara says
IKEA Me!!
I would love to help out those kids that just don’t seem to have a place to go. The ones that want to learn, but have no one to teach them.
Ashley says
IKEA Me!
If I could spend 1 year helping others, I would want to start something new, in 1 year I’d have enough time to devote myself to starting a new project and then afterwards maintaining it. A group for struggling parents so they have someone to talk to when they are trying to make ends meet, or going through a rough time. Someone they can call for help. Fundraisers to give these families the things they need, books, support, tutors, etc.
John & Jamie says
IKEA Me!
We love animals and would LOVE to be able to help as many as possible!
Katie says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center.
Lauren says
IKEA ME : )
I would expand the social entrepreneurship program I developed for low-income elementary students.
Jill B. says
IKEA ME!!! IKEA ME IKEA ME!!