*** 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…
******************************
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.
Sarah says
IKEA ME! i would work at an animal rescue
Lindsay says
IKEA ME!!!!
I would do something involving art and underprivileged children.
Thanks!
Kelly says
IKEA ME!
I would do work with animal rescue!
Loi says
IKEA ME!
I would definitely use that money to financially support the efforts to stop human trafficking, I have a friend that is working locally with a non-profit and they also have national and international connections. Being involved in that mission and raising awareness would be an honor!
lindseydawn says
Ikea ME!
I would do something involving children or animals – those that can’t help themselves.
Rachel says
IKEA Me!!!
Being an accountant, I’d like to help struggling families learn how to budget and use techniques to spend with-in their means and how to save money.
Katie says
IKEA me! If I had a year off…I would spread love via free cupcakes :)
ashley says
IKEA ME!!!
If I could spend a year helping others, I would use the time to work with children in residential treatment due to severe emotional disturbance as a result of abuse/neglect.
Erin B says
IKEA Me!
OH My! If I only had a year I would do something to help disadvantaged youth – maybe tutoring, feeding, caring for children. Really anything. It’s my dream vocation to get paid nothing for volunteering. I could think of at least 25 things I would do!
Nicole Grove says
IKEA ME!!
If I could spend one year helping people, I would take it to work with habitat for humanity. There is nothing worse then hearing these stories about entire families on the street trying to survive.
Erin D. says
IKEA ME!
I would spend my time in the Middle East, building schools, hospitals, and other civic buildings.
Melissa says
IKEA ME!
Probably I would provide free personal training and nutrition services to those who can’t afford it.
Meghan Bassett says
IKEA me!
I would do something to help all those single moms out there, it’s a hard job and giving them a two-four hour break a week while I took care of their child charge free would be a nice little break for them. Plus I love kids so I would be doing something I loved too!
natalie says
IKEA ME!
I know exactly what I would do! I would take a year off and go to my favorite Mexican Isle, Isla Mujeres, and create an animal shelter. The island is full of injured, sick, and needy animals that I would love to find homes for.
Joy says
IKEA ME! I would spend the year volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club. I worked there in my 20’s and would love the opportunity to donate my time instead of getting a paycheck.
Jessica says
IKEA Me!
I’d start a non-profit that helps fund orphanages overseas, as well as travel to help re-build homes in Haiti.
Leslie says
IKEA ME! I was just talking with my step-daughter last night to plan my first trip to Ikea… $350 would make the day so much more fun!
Jen says
IKEA ME!
I would spend one year to help people understand food. Where it comes for, what organic is, why we should buy locally, and try and lobby for different regulations and legislation
TD says
IKEA me!!
With one year and that kinda money I would go back to India and work with non-profits to increase education and help for HIV-positive people and AIDS victims. AIDS is the silent epidemic that no one, not even the governments want to discuss, very little is being done to counter the social injustices the victims of AIDS are subjected to. Being able to help such people would be a worthwhile way to spend 1 year.
shanna says
IKEA ME! I’d do Habitat for Humanity for a year!
Holly says
IKEA me!
I would go to orphanages around the world to provide a better environment for those precious children.
Melinda J says
IKEA me!!
I would love to increase access to foster certification classes. My husband and I tried to get certified last year but the class times (6-9 pm) were not good for our young son. I’d like to create a class option that is partly online so that time outside of the home is minimized. I don’t think it would take me long to create the class — then I’d get certified and start having foster kids.
Natalie says
IKEA ME! I would give the money and my time to thefuntheory.com. Their ideas to get people to do so many things like recycle or exercise more are genius and so much more fun ;)
Megan says
IKEA ME! I’d help people get their finances in order by partnering with human service organizations to connect with people getting back on their feet.
schmei says
IKEA me!
I’d work with a program like Puppies Behind Bars: helping out prisoners and training helper dogs. It’s a win-win.
AshleyP says
IKEA me!
Nicholas Kristof of the NY times just did a great article on young philanthropists! I was really inspired by the young girl who started a school in a remote area of Nepal- I’d love to visit and help her and the children out!
Liz Smith says
IKEA me!!! Oh my gosh – with a whole year of time and energy, I would love to open a women/childrens shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Education and job training for mothers and quality child care and education for kids.
Carrie says
Ikea me!!
I would definitely work with at-risk inner-city kids. There are so many great programs out there like Big Brothers Big Sisters that try to give these kids a chance.
Lisa Alvarado says
IKEA ME! I’d open my dream non-profit to mentor youth through college admission, funding,career choice and development.
leslie says
IKEA ME!!!
I would set up a nutrition program to teach families how to live healthier lives i.e. how to bring healthy eating habits to the center of the family dinner table.
Erica Barrera says
If I had a year off I start an after school program.Child care is so expensive and many children are left home alone.
Randa says
Ikea me!
There are lots of things I’d like to do… one might be to help an organization (like International Justice Ministries, for example) that intervenes in areas where children / women are taken advantage of.
Rebecca says
IKEA ME!!
I would spend every spare moment volunteering at local schools. They need us!
Lindsay says
IKEA ME! I’d like to volunteer in a literacy program, either teaching people to read or helping them become better writers. I worked at my university’s writing center and really enjoyed it.
Michelle says
Ikea me!
I’d spend my time teaching students how to read.
Kay Marie says
IKEA ME!
–I would definitely work with animals, specifically in rescue shelters. I love dogs (and all other animals, but dogs especially) so much, and it breaks me to see them hurt and sad and neglected. My problem is though, I’m extremely emotional, so I often avoid the reality of their situations, for fear of breaking down:( Taking a year to step up to the plate would help animals and me both.
Katherine says
IKEA ME!!
I would take the time to further instill my love and compassion for animals in my 14 month old daughter. I would love to volunteer at our local Humane Society and would ideally like to start a rescue shelter for animals. I picture a lot of acreage in the country with the time and resources to help out many different types of animals.
Christa M says
IKEA ME!
I’d work with area teenagers to work on positive self image.
Heather says
IKEA me!
I’ve always wanted to work with Habitat for Humanity.
JessieDae says
IKEA me!
If I could do anything at this point … my husband and I have agreed to solve the pet overpopulation/stray unwanted animal problem. We have no idea how to do it … but thats our goal!!
ali says
IKEA me!
I’d love to work for an organization that provides natural disaster relief.
Eunice CHou says
Ikea me!!!
I was a former special education teacher so I’d love to do something that encourages the families of those with children with special needs!
Emily P says
IKEA Me!…I would spend a year volunteering with a domestic abuse shelter doing pro bono legal representation.
Anna says
IKEA Me!
I would promote day care facilities at or near companies so that working parents would not have to choose between having a career and spending time with their children.
Danielle says
IKEA ME!!
I have always wanted to open some type of business and allow homeless people to work, earn money, and get back on their feet. I just feel so helpless watching them walk the streets and beg for money.
Julie says
IKEA me!
I would spend the year working with Habitat for Humanity.
Erin B. says
IKEA ME!
I would love to start a non-profit that helps at-risk youth rescue, train and work with therapy animals. It would be a win/win for both the animals who need loving caretakers and the kids.
KT in NJ says
IKEA me! IKEA me!
I’d love to become a victim advocate for those affected by drunken driving.
Bonnie says
Ikea Me! I would love to set up a transition program for foster kids that have aged out of foster care, so they are prepared for living on their own.
Michelle says
IKEA ME!!
If I could take a year off to dedicate to service I wouldn’t have to travel far. We have a homeless shelter in our community that is amazing. I would love to devote my time to helping those who are homeless in my community. Especially those with with children.