*** 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.
Susan Oddou says
IKEA ME!
I would love to spend a year in another country doing humanitarian aid work with my church.
emily says
IKEA ME!!!!
I would donate my time to under appreciated kids make them feel safe, warm, and loved. Let them know, somebody cares.
$350 would def. give me the push to take the measly 1 hour drive to charlotte. hope i win!
Kacey says
IKEA Me! If I could take a year off and volunteer my time, I would work with either KODA (organ donation) or Saving Sunny (animal cruelty prevention and awareness). Both are based in my hometown and are worthy causes.
Christine Schwalm Design says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year off, I’d probably spend it volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, probably in the Gulf region. It’s a charity I’ve done work for in the past. I feel like the people in that part of the country have just been through so much and it would be a very rewarding place to volunteer.
Anissa says
Ikea me!
Love the blog!
Tiffany says
IKEA ME!
melarse says
IKEA ME!!! I have a great long IKEA shopping list that would love to be accompanied by a shiny new gift card.
If I had one year free, I would spend it either in a children’s hospital or with animals in need (land or sea).
Linda Maggioncalda says
Ikea Me!!
I homeschool my children so we would use this money together to do something wonderful for children–in a BIG way. Perhaps fund a feeding program in Africa or fund adoption scholarships for parents who want to adopt and can’t afford adoption fees.
Sydney says
IKEA me!
I would volunteer with the MS Society for a year.
Emily says
Ikea ME!
I would work with inner-city schools trying to get kids into college.
Amie says
IKEA ME! I would take the year to work in the art program in my area of the inner city.
Amy Steinberg says
Ikea Me!
As a pediatric nurse, I would love to spend a year volunteering my time at a free clinic!
Thanks!
Melanie says
IKEA ME!
If I had one year to devote to others, I would split time between tutoring kids in science and math and building houses through Habitat for Humanity.
Mikaela says
IKEA ME!
I’d help a local school do whatever volunteer work they need.
Kelly says
IKEA Me! I would love to spend a year raising money for varies causes that are near to my heart.
Linda says
ikea me!!
I would take the year to volunteer for my best friends mother who has suffered from brain tumors and is now cared for by the state. I feel like she could benefit so much more from someone who knew who she was as opposed to what this disease has made her become.
amy says
IKEA ME!
I would love to work with local 4-H clubs to give them the recognition, funds and adult supervision to really teach young kids!
Kim says
Ikea Me…
No hesitation on what I’d do…what we DID from June 2001 to June 2002 and I’d love to do again: working at Kasana Children’s Center in Uganda. We had a fabulous year working with orphans while filling in for missionaries who needed a break and a year back in the U.S. It wasn’t always easy — the need is so great and you feel “What can I really do? I’m one person and it’s like a drop in the bucket.” But you get lots and lots of people doing a drop in the bucket and soon the bucket is full.
Kate says
IKEA ME!
I would spend my year designing and running a program to feed/clothe kids that are in need – we’re talking in SERIOUS need ala no running water, no electricity, have chronic medical issues, etc. These kids have no choices in their situations and there is always a need for someone to help them!
jess125 says
IKEA ME….I would volunteer my time at ReStore Habitat for Humanity. The Christmas in April program.
Peggy says
IKEA ME!
I’d be in Coffee Bay, South Africa working with my friends! Check out their web site: http://www.coastlite.com
Emily P says
IKEA Me!
I would start a nation-wide organization to foster community gardening (and vegetable gardens at schools in the US)!
kristi hughey says
Ikea ME!
If I had a year off (and someone to help watch my three kids during that time) I would volunteer at Compassion helping needy children in other countries or Samaritan’s Purse helping distribute their gift boxes to children.
Love love love Ikea! We have soooo many pieces of their furniture in our house!
Shyla says
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE IKEA ME!!! My husband and I have fallen in love with this store! I was afraid it was too contemporary for me – but we LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! We have a teeny little cape that we are maximizing space in to make room for bambino #4 (under 4 yrs old! :) I’d love to put this to use towards the Ektorp sofas! Thanks so much for doing this giveaway!!
I would love to help out young moms who don’t have support and help them learn how to take proper care of their little ones!
David says
IKEA ME
I would spend time running a national program that educates families on how to be truly healthy (especially since our health care system is working more against us than for us).
Erica says
IKEA ME!
If I had a year to do anything for FREE, I would travel all over the world, writing and recording peoples’ stories that otherwise wouldn’t get told.
Bethany says
IKEA ME!
I’d ABSOLUTELY save animals for a year, and then some!
Sara says
IKEA ME!!!
I don’t even know… I’d split my time between a few different organizations – inner city sports program, a few trips abroad doing humanitarian work (clean water program, etc).
alison says
IKEA Me!
If I could take a year off, I would travel around with the RAM (Remote Area Medical) Volunteer Corps to clinics across the US. I’ve volunteered at the clinic in Wise, VA twice now, and it’s a truly life changing experience.
Becka says
Ikea Me!
If I had a year off, I would give foster children a feel for a real family. There are so many teens that need someone to show them what a family is all about, either through after school programs or on weekends. During the day I would organize creative hobbies to help them to sew, quilt, scrapbook, decorate, or anything creative they are interested in.
Dave says
IKEA ME! I’d work with disabled veterans.
Susan says
IKEA ME!!!
I would start an outreach program in my community.
Kathleen M. says
“IKEA Me!”
I would have to do more research on it but it would probably be with the Peace Corps, Red Cross or animal related organization.
Nicole says
Ikea Me! Please :)
If I had a year to serve, I would go to Africa and serve as a health-awareness volunteer teaching workshops.
nicki says
Ikea me! I would go to Ecuador and teach square plot gardening for a year.
Sarah says
IKEA ME!
I’m a techie and pretty passionate about it so I’d love to take a year to do work in schools related to technology.
Becca Ellis says
Ikea Me!
I would like to be able to work with and support teen moms/pregnant teens who don’t have the support system they need.
Manda says
IKEA ME!!
I would work in an orphanage in Africa.
meeyeehere aka Rachel Crisman says
IKEA ME!!!!!
I have been rescuing animals at our local shelter off and on for years.I do lots of free work for them and donate to them often.I would love to work with children,I have always wanted to do more in my community
[email protected]
Sherrina says
IKEA ME!
I would work support free clinics in preparing their organizations and their clients for life under health reform. This is basically the work I do now, and I love it. When you have your health you have everything, and we need to support the unsung heroes who provide care to those who cannot afford it.
Diane says
Ikea Me!
I would love to donate time and money to helping potential first-generation college students with the application process. Then I would love to continue working with those kids through their college career to ensure that they have the support they need.
Brittany Kamman says
Ikea me!!
I am an art teacher in a lucky community that can still afford that. If I could spend one year helping others I would travel to low income areas and migrant communities that can’t afford to pay someone to teach art to do art projects with children who aren’t so lucky.
Candi says
ikea me!!
Barbara says
“IKEA Me!”
I’d love the Ikea gift card. I’m on Social Security and haven’t had a cost of living adjustment in two years. Could really use the gift card to spruce up the old homestead.
If I could take a year, I guess my heart would take me to where parents are trying to cope with sick kids. All of the polluting we’ve been doing to this planet over the past 100 or so years is causing an awful lot of major illnesses in our kids.
Thanks.
Barb
Jo says
Ikea me! If i had a year off I would help families in need paint and update their home interiors. Everyone deserves a beautiful living environment.
Cris Richman says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year teaching music to kids or teens,thats what I want to do.Also,I would like to work with the make a wish foundation and help fulfill kids dreams.
[email protected]
Candy Heathman says
IKEA ME!!
If I had a year off, I would like to start a Teen Addiction Program in our local schools. We are located in a rural area that has very little to offer our teens. It seems that so many kids are not only using alcohol but other harmful drugs.
McGee says
IKEA Me!!!
Renovating our home has been such a wonderful process for us. I’d be honored to spend a year building houses for Habitat for Humanity.
ashley nelson says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to take a year to work for a school supported by our church in Uganda. It is an amazing program and I would love to take my family over there to help~ :)
Lindsey P Colvin says
OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PAH-LEEEEEEZ IKEA ME!!! It has to be one of my favorite stores/amusement parks of all time! Additionally, if I could spend an entire year doing philantropy work, I would want to start a stray cat rescue center. So many people who own cats don’t understand the results of them not spaying or neutering their cat. I would want to take in the homeless kitties and give seminars to new owners on how to give your pet the best life they can :) Including spaying or neutering their new baby.