*** 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.
Sara says
IKEA Me
man says
ikea me!
i would probably spend that year working with a local animal shelter i spend some time volunteering for, or with a substance abuse prevention program. those are two that are close to my heart these days.
Julie says
IKEA Me! We would love to travel to Haiti to help rebuild…
Sara says
IKEA Me
If I could spend a year helping others, I would spent it volunteering to assist homeless youth in my city-Philadelphia.
Jesse says
Ikea me please! I feel the need to help animals right now.
vicky says
IKEA Me!
Jenni says
IKEA ME!
A one year sabbatical to start a non-profit/volunteer for a year sounds amazing–thanks for telling us about it! I would definitely work with kids: among many things I would like to do (such as mentor, or start a program to help kids stay involved in music and the arts) I would love to volunteer for (and help expand?) the BackPack Program.
Laura says
IKEA Me!
I would work with Habitat for Humanity to develop low-cost building solutions that could be used in the various regions of the country (each suited to the climat they are needed).
Tammy Roark says
IKEA ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jenn M says
IKEA ME! : )
If I could take a year off, I would work with establishing elementary fitness programs. Obesity is a major issue in America, and part of making our community healthy again is re-teaching children how to actively play, both inside and outside as well as teaching them about nutrition.
Kaitlin says
IKEA me! I would spend a year doing international missions, helping with building projects, medical needs and/or working with kids in an orphanage. I’ve never seen the same kind of need in the US as I have in third world areas, so I would want to be out of the country.
Rachel says
IKEA ME!!!
I would love to spend a year rescuing dogs and putting them into new happy homes. I am one of those people that cries every time I see the ASPCA commercials, and it would be my dream to help out all those animals. :)
Tammy says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the year working with kids in the foster system… It would be so fun to host camps where the kids could go and be loved on for who they are!
Corey says
IKEA me!
I would work with adult literacy programs to help teach people how to read.
Michelle says
IKEA ME!
I would help the fathers of children born to single mothers become better dads and help them understand their rights & responsiblities.
Maureen says
Ikea Me!
I would love to work with people that have alzheimer’s and thier families.
Katie says
IKEA Me!
I would love to spend a year working with kids at disadvantaged schools – probably at an after-school program or in a reading program.
Lacey says
IKEA Me!
I would spend a year in schools in rural areas teaching them about the world, other cultures and other religions. Ignorance is such a big problem.
Stephanie says
IKEA ME!!! And if I had a free year I would become a full-time CASA (child advocate). There is always a need for them and if I weren’t a full-time stay at home mommy I would love to help out.
Abby says
Ikea Me!
I’d raise funds/apply for grants to keep art and music alive in our local schools.
srah says
IKEA me!
I’d like to go back to volunteer at my elementary school. It was always of the worst schools in the district, and I’m one of the few kids in my class who went to college. I’d like to go back and help them out and encourage other kids at that school to go on to exciting things!
melissa says
IKEA ME!
I would teach young underprivileged children how to swim. It’s a basic life skill which prevents accidental drowning – a disproportionately large problem in poorer communities.
Grace says
IKEA ME!!!!
I would either travel to Africa working to educate the women about basic necessities or volunteer at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Allison Jones says
IKEA ME
As a future legal aid lawyer and social worker, I am signing up to spend EVERY year helping people. But with $100k and just one year, I would expand a colleague’s community development project. She has established a coffee shop and art gallery in a depressed community, which employs community residents, showcases local artists, and draws in folks from all over the metro area to build a coalition of support for revitalizing the area.
Kristen says
IKEA Me!! I would volunteer for an organization like Girls on the Run or something similar that helps young girls with self confidence, body image, etc.
Benita says
IKEA Me!
I would love to work with an animal rescue organization, one that helps injured or neglected animals and helps get them adopted.
Marjorie says
Ikea me!
If I could take a year off to help others, I would want to volunteer with girls who need a little extra love (maybe at an orphanage, or with foster children).
Amy Watson says
IKEA me!
pretty please?
Kristin says
IKEA me! I’ve always said if I ever happened upon a lot of money, I would quit work and volunteer, but I never really thought about what my focus would be. I have so many passions, but I think I would focus on helping underpriviledged kids and their families in a broad sense. I would like to give people a helping hand, not a hand out… teach them about nutrition, finance, importance of education, job skills, self-worth, etc.
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
Ikea Me Me Me!
I would volunteer with Girls on the Run, a program to teach girls between 8-12 yrs old self esteem thru fitness and running.
ken smith says
IKEA Me!
Roy Martin says
IKEA Me!
I’d spend it fundraising and setting up a training organization that linked computer professionals with under-privileged students providing them valuable skills they would need to get a job. There are many great programs and organizations abroad that are raising resources for students in technology. I’d love to see a focus on training and providing resources for children within the United States.
Sandy In Fort Worth says
Hi John and Sherry,
Ikea Me!! I would use the gift cetificate to get me some closets like you have in your master bedroom. I love those and they are exactly what I need because my room does not have ANY closets!!!
I would use the year off to volunteer with a community garden to learn how to garden and then help others to do the same, to learn how to become more self sustaining. I would also like to incorporate gardening programs to nursing homes and rehabs / senior living homes.
I really enjoy your blog!
Thanks,
Sandy
Stacy says
IKEA Me! Seriously, I was just sitting here wishing I could have the EKTORP sofa and re-do my living room just like yours!
If I could spend one year helping others, because I am an elementary school teacher, I would like to open a parent resource center here in my city. There are SO many parents in need of assistance, and I would love to help improve the lives of children any way I can!
Ashley says
Ikea me!!!!
If I could take one year off to serve others, it would be to start an career inspiration program for youth. Too often, our youth are left uninspired and un-driven to succeed, leaving them to flounder and often, get into trouble. Most of the time, this is due to the fact that they’ve never met anyone who does something that is inspiring to them. Many kids are limited by what they see around them. If they don’t immediately see that opportunity, that dream, then they are left with nothing to dream about.
My program would bring professionals from an array of different fields and industries into classrooms to talk about their jobs and present their stories of how they achieved their success. I would have a program at the junior high level- when kids are most likely to wander astray, and one at the high school level- when kids are trying to figure out… “what’s next?”
I want to show kids that there are millions of opportunities out there, and that only they themselves can determine their limitations. Our youth should not be limited by just what they see around them. They should have the opportunity to do whatever they possibly can! This can only happen if these kids see the possibilities. I believe a program such as mine would open their eyes.
Samantha Cline says
IKEA me!!!
If I could take a year off, I would revamp our local women’s shelter.
Rebecca says
IKEA ME!
I’d spend the year volunteering at the library. Budget cuts have them understaffed and they do such a service for the community.
Kathryn says
Ikea Me! I’d love to spend the year setting up a program to get kids involved with the arts. The current economic situation has caused a lot of schools to cut funding for art and music classes that are vital to education.
Keegan says
IKEA me! I would love to start an animal shelter!
sara f says
Ikea ME! I’d spend a year doing fun science activities with young students and their parents.
Brooke says
IKEA ME! We are in desperate need of some new home furnishings, and our local Ikea is only 15 minutes away. This gift card would help us out tremendously!
Also, if I had one year free, I would absolutely open my home to take in rescue animals until they found permanent homes.
Casey says
IKEA Me!!!!
I would like start Thoroughbred retirement foundation!!
Sarah says
IKEA ME!!
I’d probably get more involved with a home-away-from-home for adult Cancer patients called The Hope Lodge.
Jess says
IKEA me!
I would love to do something to help families/children who are dealing with childhood cancer.
Marisa Davies says
IKEA Me!
… if I could spend one year helping others I would open a place for people to run errands or be a companion for seniors. There are so many elderly people who all they need is someone to talk to or take a trip to the grocery store, even if only for a hour a day to be able to go to a restaurant or a park.
Brent says
IKEA ME
I’d get involved with the Special Olympics.
Cara says
IKEA me! I would volunteer in my community and try to eradicate illiteracy in my city.
Sarah says
IKEA ME
I’d def work with a local soup kitchen and homeless shelter that I try to donate to weekly.
Beth says
IKEA me!
I would pass the money along to my husband who is a football coach to start a program for inner city kids. It would be a good after school program to keep them off the streets by giving them something to work hard for as a team and build some life skills (as well as pride in what they accomplish).
Cathy Hines says
IKEA Me!
I would take the next year to develop an residential emergency symbol to identify those who house individuals with alzheimers or other illnesses that may cause individuals to become disoriented or “lost”. These could be posted beside driveways to alert others.