*** 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.
Laura R says
IKEA ME!
Thanks John & Sherry!
Susan says
IKEA ME! I have a bedroom to redo :)
I’d love to spend a year helping arts education programs in my city!
Erin Southards says
IKEA ME! I would spend time with women hopefully helping them realize their potential in life
Monica says
IKEA me…..After spending the last 6 months supporting my Mom through cancer treatment I wonder “how in the world do people go through this on their own”. And though there are organizations which help with various individual tasks, driving to appointments/ housekeeping etc. I see an organization which helps offers all services in one place.
Kristen says
IKEA me!
I would work with kids in an after school music program.
Kristine Neeley says
Please, please, IKEA me!
Melisa says
IKEA ME!! I would like to work with families/children. Whether it be helping them rebuild there home, learn to grow food and cook, be active, etc.
Charity says
IKEA Me!
I would spend the year either doing two things. Rescuing dogs and cats and bringing them into assisted living and nursing facilities to meet and greet with the residents. My Gram is in one now and loves when animals come to visit! Or helping high schoolers from lower income neighborhoods in Chicago find jobs and apply for college.
Andrea Lynch says
IKEA Me!
I would spend time volunteering for March of Dimes and be a foster dog parent.
Ailene C says
IKEA me!
I would help young women learn basic personal finance tools to help position them to be financially strong as they head into life. I wish someone had taken me aside back in my early 20s!
Joell says
IKEA me!
I would volunteer my time to the YWCA and assist in providing the women and children that live there feel safe and help get back on there feet
Marian says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year with the Himalayan Cataract Foundation assisting with Cataract corrective surgeries in Asia and Africa!
Shelly says
IKEA ME!
I would take a year to work in medical clinics in third world countries
Courtney says
Ikea Me! My fiance and I just bought our first house (which is in major need of some DIY project inspiration). When my bff told me about your blog I immediately became hooked. I hope to one day have some great projects done to send to you guys. Also, your house tours..AMAZING for inspiration and seeing how colors work together.
If I could spend one year helping people it would be helping children. They are our future and there are so many children who don’t have the proper love and support of their immediate family to motivate and inspire them. I feel blessed that I have family and friends who supported me all my life that it’s only right to pass it on.
Michelle says
IKEA ME!
I would take a year to run local ministries that are understaffed.
lilcee says
IKEA ME!!!
I would spend a year volunteering helping low income Asian families and their children. They have so much hardship and work hard to have a better life for their children.
Kimberly says
IKEA ME!
I would work full-time for my best friend’s not-for-profit theatre company, Consuming The Arts Theatre Project. We are working towards a goal of touring low-income school districts to bring the arts (visual art, music, theatre) to students that would otherwise have no opportunity to experience them.
Heidi says
IKEA me!
I would definitely go the “rescue animals” route – either by opening a cat shelter, or one for wildlife/exotics that cannot be released or kept in zoos any longer.
Erin H. says
IKEA me! I already have a virtual shopping list on the Ikea website that would make quick work of the $350. Now, hmm, if I had a year, I think I’d work with foster children. I’d have to spend some serious time thinking about the best way to do so, but that’s who I’d help.
Kelli Kegley says
IKEA me!
I would volunteer at Healing Hands, which is a local non profit in my community!
Gina says
IKEA me!
What an awesome program. I would most definitely devote my year to an organization like United Planet (unitedplanet.org), working abroad as an Orphanage or Childcare volunteer or working with one of their Women’s Empowerment Quests.
Laura Monroe says
IKEA ME! I would take in hard to place animals and work with psychologists and psychiatrists to create a animal assistance therapy program that would assisted with mental stability and other tangible results through animal assisited therapy. It has been my dream for years!
layersofmeaning says
IKEA Me! I’m decorating my nursery, this giftcard would be PERFECT to help me finish!
Diane says
IKEA ME!!
If I could volunteer for a year I would like to help older folks keep their homes maintained so that they can stay in their homes. Many can live alone safely but it doesn’t mean they can get up on a ladder and clean their gutters. :)
Dawn says
Ikea Me! I would spend a year helping people and their families who are dealing with cancer. Whatever they needed, meals, rides to treatment, anything!
Kate Dawson says
IKEA ME!
I’d expand a new program in my area of free sailing lessons to the masses since that’s something I’m passionate about.
Amy Thompson says
“IKEA ME”
If I had a year off, I’d hardly know where to start! I would probably find myself working with groups like Habitat for Humanity or just helping homeowners in our community complete needed repairs that they’re unable to do for themselves.
Ms. Rodz says
Ikea moi!
I actually thought about this yesterday, while my son was in therapy, as I witnessed it. I’d like to help with an afterschool program geared towards kids from immigrant families, especially helping them with homework and the like. A lot of this kids’ parents don’t even know how to read or write, so they can’t properly help their children with their school work.
Tara P says
IKEA ME!!!
I would LOVE to work with local farmers to create a Urban Garden to teach kids about healthy eating & give low income families access to fresh, organic produce!
Linda Yoder says
Ikea me! I would be spending my time with children.
Mo says
IKEA me!
For a year off helping out folks, I’d volunteer with this local organization that helps with designing, building, and advocating for architecturally designed housing (single and multi-family) in my area.
Ann says
IKEA me!
I would spend the year working with the homeless population and recovering addicts in our city.
Sam says
IKEA me!
I would volunteer with an education/literacy program to help people of all ages to overcome learning disabilities.
Rebecca E. Farmer says
IKEA ME!
I would love to volunteer at local schools to read to classes.
Heather says
IKEA Me Pleaseeee!!!
I’d love to do Mother’s without Borders sometime ..when my kids are older.
Roe says
IKEA Me! I would help out with an animal rescue.
Jessica says
IKEA me!
i think i would help build homes for those in need. everybody deserves a nice clean home and a soft bed no matter their circumstance.
thanks.
Taneil says
IKEA me!
I would start an organization to help struggling uninsured people pay their medical bills.
Kim M. says
IKEA me!
If I had more time to volunteer and help out it would be for Habitat. I love the organization and what it stands for!
Jeannine says
IKEA Me!
I would like to work for healthy environments in schools and in homes, which can include anything from food to building materials, to personal care products, etc.
Rachael says
IKEA ME!!!
I would love to help with upkeep of senior citizins homes… small things to help them out that they can’t do on their own any longer!
Krista says
IKEA Me!
My husband and I are just beginning a project in Nepal called the Muhan House. It’s a house for girls that have been rescued from the sex-trade (into India), where they can find healing, run on the ground by our amazing Nepali friends. We would love a year off to go back to Nepal to help them get the house up and running and begin counseling training for the staff.
rochelle says
“IKEA Me!” I would love to help make home improvements and repairs to low income seniors. Like installing carpets, wall repair, install new toilets and bathroom fixtures, new or used appliances, easier landscaping, painting etc. I think alot of low income seniors either don’t have the money or energy to keep their homes up and need help but are too proud to ask for it. They helped build this country and they deserve some reward for making it as far as they have. I would love to help !
susan says
IKEA ME! I would probably work in an Indian orphanage!
Emily says
Ikea me!
Iprobably volunteer at the hospital in my hometown.
Melissa says
IKEA Me!
I would use the $100,000 to provide after school transportation for kids who want to do extra-curricular activites but don’t have parents/family who can pick them up.
Anna says
IKEA ME!
I would love to do anything to help out with animals!
Melanie says
Ikea Me!!
I would really like to help the recently unemployed/laid off folks get back on their feet. About a year and a half ago, I was laid off, and then my husband was laid off (our 1st year of marriage no less and with two doggy mouths to feed). Both of us are well educated, industrious, and have supportive families, so luckily we made it though and now actually have better jobs than before. I learned a thing or two about serious budgeting and how to interview and write awesome resumes for this particular job market, so I think I would really like to help others do the same
Page says
IKEA me!
I would conduct high school tours of architecture/interiors in each of the 50 states to show young prospective designers (or those who just need to be inspired ) that the built environment can change the way one sees the world and the realm of possibility, that the phrase ” I can help change the world ” is quite real and certainly possible at the individual level.
Kendra says
IKEA me!
I would love to spend a year doing various community service projects – some time with Habitat for Humanity, some time in children’s hospitals, some time in animal shelters, some time running food drives, etc…I would love the variety!