*** 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.
Andrew says
IKEA Me!
I would start a program to help middle/high school students care more about their grades and discover their career interest. The program would offer something like an after school study partners program and opportunities to meet people that work in various fields so the students can develop a more accurate understanding of what those careers are like as far as the people they would work with, the problems they would be trying to solve, and what their usual work day would be like. I believe that if students felt more of a connection to the world outside of the classroom and had a relatively good idea of where they would eventually like to be, they would be much more motivated to make good grades which can take them anywhere they want to go.
Marissa says
IKEA Me!
I would teach young kids who need some love, and work with their families too. I’ve had my eyes opened more lately and realize how much love and a good home life can help them succeed.
Daria Ellington says
IKEA ME!
If I could spend one year helping others I would turn people’s lawns into food yielding gardens. As much as I love decorating, remodeling and all other things DYI, that was one of the most rewarding projects my family and I have worked on. It’s creative, it’s down to earth, it involves the community, and it gives freedom and independence along with organic produce to families who can then help themselves and the environment to boot!
Randi says
IKEA Me! If I had a year to spend helping others, I would like to teach art classes to inner city youth.
Val says
IKEA ME! I’d help orphaned children.
Sarah says
IKEA ME!
I’m a huge animal fan and would love to spend a year rescuing, helping, caring for, and generally loving abandoned, neglected, and/or endangered animals.
jocelyn says
IKEA ME!!! As an RN, I have always wanted to go to a 3rd world country to lend help with my medical skills.
Chelsea says
IKEA ME!
I would love to help out at the local animal control facility where the dogs are so grateful for someone to come in and interact with them.
Kati says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year off, you would find me working with kids in foster care. I’m a part of the Junior League of Cedar Rapids and we just started a new initiative to help brighten up the worlds of teenagers who are in the Families Helping Families of Iowa’s Phase Program. Essentially, it’s a place where kids that are “too old” to be adopted live until they are old enough to be out on their own. The first project is to beef up their bedrooms with decent comforters and other items so that they can have a place that feels like home. Currently, we’re trying to raise the money to make this happen or get items donated.
Kudos to IKEA for helping make this world a better place!!!
Matt says
Ikea me, please!
Cady says
“IKEA ME!” I would return to the school in the Indian Himalayas that I taught at 8 years ago to help in any way I could. Such a beautiful place and awesome kids!
evalina miller says
ikea me
Marcia Tumminaro says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer to be a “big sister” mentor for the big brothers/big sisters of america.
Meghan W. says
IKEA me! I would open an after school music program for kids. :)
Briana says
IKEA me, me, me!! I’d probably do more than one thing. Animal shelters, homeless shelters, just people that need help, etc.
Leslie says
IKEA Me!
I’d read to children as well as disabled and elderly individuals who are unable to read themselves.
terri says
IKEA ME! I’d love to have a year to invest in my daughter’s school.
Crista says
Ikea me!!! Wow, I would either start a community garden and involve low income kids or have a sports program for those same kids to help boost self esteem.
Rachel says
IKEA ME! I’m already doing what I love. I work in a homeless facility that helps men, women, and families find jobs and housing.
christine smith says
IKEA ME!
mandy says
IKEA ME! :)
I would spend the year working with a homeless shelter or an animal shelter. Or maybe starting a college prep program for students in rural or urban areas.
Linda O'Donnell says
IKEA ME! I would travel to 3rd world countries with my family giving our aid.
Sunny says
IKEA ME! I would probably go on a mission trip to another country, although not sure where.
Kalah says
IKEA ME!!!!
I’d spend the year in Uganda at an orphanage. I firmly believe in the power of love (insert Celine Dion, haha) and restoration. Every child deserves it, but sadly not all of them get it. I’d love to change that.
Jessica says
IKEA me!! I would rescue animals – dogs specifically. They can’t help themselves and are treated so horribly!!!
Mellisa says
IKEA Me!
I would teach art to kids who no longer have art programs in their schools cuz that stuff’s important!
Alexis says
IKEA ME!
I’d help provide micro-finance loans to those with poor or no credit and looking to start small businesses or go back to school!
Heather says
IKEA me!
I would work along side with Bearing Precious Seed in sending bibles around the world.
Amber B says
IKEA me!
I think I’d spend the year working on some small acts of kindness. Little things that would make people smile and brighten their days.
Cecelia says
IKEA ME!
Cecelia says
I would spend my year at an orphanage somewhere helping out.
Aleisha says
Wow, Ikea Me! If I had one year to dedicate to improving the lives of others, I would set up a community greenhouse in my low-income neighborhood. The greenhouse would serve as an education center, as well as a food bank, providing fresh, organic food choices.
Linda says
IKEA ME!
Natalie says
IKEA Me!
I would love to help animals. Ever since we resuced our dog, my heart goes out to all the animals that are in shelters.
Elizabeth says
IKEA ME!!!
I would love to spend my time helping fostering and finding forever homes for Rescue Greyhounds. I just love there pointy faces.
Monica says
IKEA ME!
prevention of childhood obesity
Gretchen says
IKEA ME!
Here’s my answer to the bonus question:
Because my family and friends were so wonderful when it came to helping my husband and I with welcoming our little girl into the world (and now baby #2!), I would spend my year helping mommies-to-be who are not as fortunate as I get a good start with their little one. Whether that be spending time with them at a crisis pregnancy center sharing advice, hosting fundraisers to furnish a nursery, or something just as simple as telling them that everything will be okay because there are people who want to help them. These moms need so much support and love and I know I would enjoy every minute of doing just that.
Kristi says
IKEA ME!
I would work with my church to develop a program that is needed in our area.
Melissa says
IKEA Me!!!
Oh how I love Ikea.
If I had one year off to help others, I think I’d do many things. I would volunteer at our local food bank, participate in meals on wheels, and find several other voluteer opportunities for myself and my kids.
Christina says
“IKEA Me!”
I would use my degree in Agriculture and Education to help create sustainable low impact food initative to the most economically challenged areas of our country. Ideally Id love to exapnd the same local/reginonal practices to other parts of the world.
Sarah in Indiana says
Ikea Me!
Wow, I don’t even know what I’d do if I had a year off to be a professional do-gooder. There are so many amazing options. The year after college I did AmeriCorps*NCCC and I did all kinds of cool stuff, like tax prep for low income people, building a ropes course at a Nebraska 4-H camp, working in elementary schools, and disaster relief, just to name a few.
Mandy says
IKEA Me! I’d like work with an adult literacy program or at an animal shelter.
evelania says
Ikea me!!!
Emily @ newlywife says
Ikea me! I think I would do something with feeding the hungry.
Stacey says
IKEA Me!
I would work with our local crisis pregnancy center in expanding their programs for middle and high schools.
Heather S. says
IKEA Me!
My husband and I have actually discussed at length something we would do if we have much more time to be altruistic. Someday, hopefully, we hope to start and orphanage or group home in our current city. There are a lot of kids in the foster care system who end up in the middle, kind of in between houses or unable to be placed that don’t have behavioral or mental issues. Yet, because of a lack of resources, sometimes they end up at group homes meant for kids with behavioral/mental issues. So, if we had a year, and some resources, we would start our group home. Until then, we look forward to getting our own young house and fostering there for awhile.
Mairead says
IKEA ME, please!
Cat says
IKEA Me!
I’d assist the nearby school district to ensure programs riddled with budget cuts were given a second wind! I’ve always felt that extracurriculars are pretty crucial during the growing up process.
Kati Pulley says
Ikea me! If I could spend a year helping others I would def spend it building and helping provide homes to others.
Elle C. says
Uh, like, IKEA ME, pretty please!
If I could spend a year helping others, I would help children from Iraq and Afghanistan who have been wounded from the war. So many children have lost limbs and are in need of major, life-saving operations, but the war-torn countries can’t offer that to them. There is an organization called No More Victims, and they raise funds, help find U.S. host families and medical facilities so that the children can come here and get the medical treatment they need. I would help them.