*** 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.
Lyndsey says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to start a not-for-profit for Catholic young adults to volunteer weeks, summers, semesters, or years to help those in need. Ultimately I would like for it to be international, but would start with domestic volunteering in places of devastation. There are a lot more details, but that is the idea…this is actually something I think about all the time.
Karen V. says
IKEA me!
I would take the year off work, move to Tanzania, and volunteer with my best pal who is working on the africasoils.net project!
Steph says
Ikea me!
I would spend a year in Africa working with the poor.
Beale Street Chick says
IKEA ME!
I’d spend the year volunteering for organizations that benefit women and girls.
Chole says
IKEA ME!
I would do something with the public schools in my area
Ashley Lynch says
IKEA ME! I would love to rescue animals! :)
Robyn says
IKEA ME! If I had a year off to volunteer, I’d do manual labor (digging wells, building shelters, etc.) in one of the countries I’ve visited over the years: India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Panama… I always feel so fulfilled and content after a long day of hard work and each of those countries has a special place in my heart.
Gina says
IKEA ME!
I’d volunteer through our church and at my son’s school.
Sarah says
IKEA ME!
I’d like to do something involving mentoring underprivileged kids.
Alex C says
IKEA ME!!!
I would love to work with animals with a no-kill animal shelter. Thank you for the giveaway opp!!!
:)
Mary Neill says
Ikea Me!!
This is a tough question…I would devote my time and the money to organizations like Habitat for Humanity or Jacob’s Ladder.
Dunne' says
IKEA Me!!!
I would probably do a number of things…mission trip with our church, animal rescue, cooking/baking for those in need, volunteering in some form with kids….
Lucy says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer with an organization that is working on low-income sustainable housing solutions for our urban cities.
Nicole says
IKEA me! My dream is to open a non-profit art gallery that benefits other non-profits. Helping people to help themselves!
Lindsey says
IKEA me!!!!
Nicole Heckert says
IKEA Me!
If I won the $100,000 I would go on a missions trip with our church and I would donate the rest to a local soup kitchen to feed the hungry.
Keosha says
“IKEA Me!”
I would use my time to help young girls in Washington, DC become stronger leaders and gain self-esteem.
Kim says
IKEA Me!
I would spend the year focusing my efforts on teen self esteem and suicide prevention programs.
Laura S. says
IKEA ME!!! Pretty please??!
I would spend the year showing love and compassion to people…ranging from the homeless to orphans in Africa.
Becca B says
IKEA ME! please :)
If I had a year that was dedicaded to a “Life Improvement Project” I would help establish a recylcing program in my community. We currently do not offer any type of curb-side recycling service and the closest recycling facility is miles away- I think many people would recycle if it was more convienient.
Stephanie says
IKEA Me!
If I could volunteer for a year, it would be hard to decide where to spend my time. I’d probably do some work supporting families with disabled children (know how hard that can be!) and supporting organizations who deal with hunger.
Kim says
IKEA ME!
I’d love to work in non-profit, and ideally I want to help disadvantaged youth because the only way to pave the way for a greater society is to be a good role model.
Sara says
IKEA me! I would educate others about adoption and help families find the funds, fill out paperwork, etc. to adopt. A trip to visit orphans in Africa would be a cool bonus, too!
Cassidy says
Ikea Me! I would LOVE to take a year (or the rest of my life) off to volunteer! I would have a hard time choosing what to do with my time, but would likely end up working with children in impoverished areas!
Beth says
IKEA me! I would work with kids in foster care.
Kim says
IKEA Me!
I would teach inner-city kids about agriculture!
Nancy S. says
IKEA ME!!! If I could spend one year helping others, I would get involved in a mentorship program, and mentor young girls, ES-HS, to help prepare them for college, and start thinking about future life plans. I’d really love to see someone invest more time in building the self esteem of young girls, so they don’t make bad choices in life.
Kelsey says
IKEA ME!
Meaningful Revisions says
IKEA ME!!!
Animal shelter – animal rights/awareness philanthropy
Malerie says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer to help Poured Out get fresh water to the people in Haiti.
Angela says
Ikea me! I would work with at-risk youth to give them hope and help them build a successful future. Hands down.
Carrie says
IKEA Me
I would like to help young girls learn the value of exercise. Helping to make it something fun they do every day in order to be healthy inside and out.
Andrea says
IKEA ME!
I would spend my year with the Make-A-Wish foundation and spread hope to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Yadira says
“IKEA ME!”
I would use the money for missionary work either abroad or right here in the US.
Erica Gregory says
Ikea ME!!!! If I had a year…I would go back to an orphanage I spent some time in during a missions trip to Brazil in high school. I would have a completely different perspective now…
Marsha says
IKEA Me!
I would help with tutor and mentor children.
Meghan says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the year in one of these programs: http://www.idealist.org/volunteer/travel.html
So many great opportunities for international service immersion!
Alexa Rivera says
IKEA ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I heart this place and what I can’t understand is how many times I keep going back because I “missed” an item or items(s) PLURAL…$350 buckaroos would just feed into my addiction to this place and buy me lotsa meatballs!!!
IKEA ME
Jacqui says
IKEA ME! I’d love to spend a year volunteering with a local animal rescue organization.
Allison says
IKEA ME!
I would help underprivileged kids in after-school programs and summer camps.
Hannah says
IKEA ME!!
I would definitely work at an animal shelter and try to find homes for as many animals as I could.
Liz says
IKEA ME.
I would continue to donate time and attention to foster and adoption advocacy. One way I current do that is by taking professional portraits of kids who are “in the system”, in hopes that these photos will interest people in adopting. The kids are AMAZING. As a former adoptee, it is a cause especially close to my heart. How different my life may have been, if I had never been adopted. These young people need our help and resources to fulfill their simple dream — a family to call their own!!
Mindy says
“IKEA ME!” I’d spend a year giving free art clinics!! I’m an art teacher in an urban community and the city is overflowing with talent waiting to flourish!!!!!
Julie says
IKEA Me!!!! I would love to teach money management and goal setting to lower income families or high school students in low income areas. Help them to realize dreams and become more stable financially.
Danielle says
IKEA me!
I would spend a year in Africa and help out in medical missions.
Randi says
Ikea me
I would take one year to help ministries that reach out to women who stuggle with addictions and their families who are also deeply affected.
Jess says
IKEA ME!!! I would volunteer with habitat for humanity…helping build homes. i did some stuff like that in high school and loved it. I would also volunteer at an animal shelter. there are so many cats and dogs out there that need good homes!
Sandra says
This comment has nothing to do with the Ikea post, but rather just had to say ‘congrats’ on your appearance on the Nate Berkus show!!! Great job! We (your Canadian groupies) saw you this morning on tv and it was great! Way to go!
Patty says
IKEA me!
I would want to work with kids in some way, either fostering one-on-one relationships or helping kids living in shelters. Would also love to help with literacy projects for kids and adults.
Rebecca says
IKEA ME!!!
I think I would spend a year volunteering for several different literacy programs. Gotta teach the kiddos to read! :)