*** 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.
Pam says
IKEA ME!
I would love to spend that time working with illiterate adults and children. There are SO many in our country and most of us have no clue.
Melissa says
IKEA ME!..love love love ikea… What I would do for others?? tough question I would like to do lots of different things… educate people on growing their own food, elimiating processed foods from their families diets and the benifits.. I would love to help other Moms be able to connect and feel like they are apart of something bigger than they think.. the list could go on!
Jenn says
IKEA ME!!
I’d love to spend some time developing an after school program for children in foster care/group home care.
Katie says
IKEA ME!
Love to help children that are less forunate
Megan says
IKEA me!
My goodness – your comments are exploding on this give-away!
If I had a year to help others, I’d be a full time volunteer doula! That’s right, labor support! I’m also a Ph.D. student, and I study maternal health, so I know the benefits. But work and school mean I can’t help at as many deliveries as I’d like (since, you know, babies don’t always come on schedule).
I think since it was my birthday this week, it’s my week to win. :) Here’s hoping!
Benedicte Monsen says
“Ikea Me”
If I had a year to volunteer I would love to work for the Red Cross! Every time I see a disaster on the news it seems the Red Cross is there in the back ground helping out.
Amanda says
IKEA me!
I would open a home for Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones.
Sandi Rodriguez says
IKEA ME!!!
I would spend one year helping animals that are in need from the recent Gulf oil spill and helping rehab them in anyway that I could!
Jean says
IKEA ME!
I would love to volunteer with a hospice and help others with a difficult time.
Naomi says
IKEA ME!
I often fantasize about dog-walking and volunteering at adoption outreach for the humane society and other animal-related organizations in my area.
ashley says
IKEA ME!
If I could spend a year doing anything, I’d travel the world to spread the wonderful word of Jesus Christ.
Sarah Matthews says
IKEA ME!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I could spend one year helping in some way, I think I would do a little bit here in the US probably doing Habitat for Humainty, helping at a food bank or serving meals to the homeless. Then I would go build a school somewhere in another part of the world, or spend a year working with The Heifer Project!
Lauren says
IKEA MEEEEE!
There are so many different things that I would love to do. I would have to go with something local. Animal rescue? Hmm..
Tracy says
IKEA ME!
I already volunteer for an organization that helps people in need by earning vouchers for food, clothing, car repairs, bills, etc in exchange for taking life skills and financial classes. I teach the budgeting class and if I had a year sabbatical I’d volunteer more- except I’d have to take a sabbatical from being a stay at home mom so I think I’ll pass on that.
Rachel says
IKEA ME
I volunteer with a non-profit called Ellie’s Run For Africa and I would donate EVERY penny. The org was started by a ten year old who wanted to help kids get out of poverty through education! Now, Ellie’s Run has helped to build 2 schools, provide lunches for kids living in slums, and has raised over $270,000 in individual donations. I know I sound like a commercial… but if one 10-year-old girl can dream something up that can make this big of a difference, imagine what we could ALL do.
Danielle says
Ikea ME!!
If I had a year to do something meaningful to me I wouls be in Dixon. Dixon, IL, a small, all american, farm town, has some of the most amazing victorian homes I’ve ever seen. Unfortunatly most have gone into disrepair. As an interior designer I have a soft spot in my heart for old architecture. I’d love to spend a year helping the owners of these homes with DIY projects that would help preserve the beauty of their homes.
Jen B. says
Ikea me!!
I’d volunteer more – at the library and the local children’s hospital.
Jenny says
IKEA Me! There’s a Haiti orphanage that I would love to help if I was given the resources.
Pam says
IKEA ME!!
Wow, there is a lot of groups I would like to help, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the elderly, specifically Alzheimers, and I also love decorating and organizing, so maybe something with Habitat for Humanity or other programs to help people spruce up their homes and lives!
Victoria Todd says
IKEA ME!!!
I would spend the year working in an orphanage in Africa!
Heidi says
IKEA ME!
I would create/volunteer with afterschool program that promotes being healthy and leading an active lifestyle. Childhood obesity is a serious issue in our country and kids don’t stand a chance if we don’t constantly educate them!
Michelle says
IKEA Me!
I would love to spend a year helping in a women’s shelter
Justine says
IKEA ME! (pleeeeeease)
Oh, the possibilities. I would do something with an animal shelter, people with disabilities or Habitat for Humanity…or I could squeeze in all three.
Rachel E says
IKEA Me!
I would love to volunteer at a chimpanzee orphanage in Africa!
Amblus says
IKEA Me!
I would like to help the Haitians in some capacity. The conditions there are just dire.
EM says
IKEA ME!
I’d start a horse rescue for retired Thoroughbreds, that’s how I bought my horse years ago!
Leslie W. says
IKEA ME!!!!
I’d love to help start a local no-kill animal shelter!
Sue Ryan says
IKEA me!!
Something that could involve my whole family. Samaritan’s Purse- helping in times of disaster and after.
Catherine M. says
Ikea me!
I’d work to open day cares for college and graduate students. Having sufficient help is crucial if young parents are going to graduate.
Ginger says
IKEA me!
I’d spend a year teaching reading to elementary aged children who are behind their reading level. Literacy is so important to success in life.
Kristine says
As a physical therapy student, I’d LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to open up a rehab center for both pediatric and geriatric patients As well as offer all types of therapy, Physical, occupational, and even speech therapy! Helping someone gain their ability to accomplish tasks that we normally take for granted on an everyday basis would be the most satisfying way to end each and every day!
Twighee says
IKEA me!
I’d help my husband to start up his idea for a non-profit fundraiser. Just sent him the link to the Ikea Life Improvement Project…hope he submits the idea. Thanks for passing on the word.
Melanie says
ikea me! i would take a year off to volunteer tutor for kids around the world.
Bailey says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to work with young moms and help them to become self sufficent.
Elizabeth says
IKEA ME!!!
I would love to take a year to help under-served families find ways to change their eating habits. So many kids are eating un-healthy things because their access to good fresh foods is limited, their parents are so overworked they don’t know how to prepare foods in the small time they have, and because culturally we are force feeding them chemicals and additives their bodies don’t need or want! I’d love to do a Jamie Oliver-esque mission and help families find and use resources to improve their food and health choices!
Lisa T says
IKEA Me!
I would spend the year working with toddlers with special needs.
Zoe Feast says
IKEA me!
I’d love to do something creative. How about painting backdrops designing props for a volunteer theater group.
jessica says
IKEA ME!
I would LOVE to spend a year helping animals! :)
Haley says
IKEA ME! I would probably go to Eastern Europe or South America and volunteer there to teach and give service to kids in orphanages. I think that would be an amazing experience!
Erin says
IKEA ME!! I would take a year off and bake! Yea, who doesnt love fresh baked goods to help brighten theri day. What an awesome trat it would be to bake for strangers, companies, and families…just because!
Kelsey says
IKEA ME!!
I would love to take a year and volunteer at the local children’s hospital and area schools.
angela says
Ikea ME!!!!!!! I’d love that!
Joyce says
IKEA ME!
I would love to spend a year working with kids on self-esteem issues and helping kids understand tolerance, anti-bullying etc.
Beth says
IKEA Me!
I would love to spend a year or more teaching kids how to cook basic, healthy foods with whole ingredients.
Elle says
I love IKEA, its my go – to place for everything I cant find (or shouldn’t buy) second hand. You can IKEA Me! anytime!
Valerie says
IKEA ME!!
I would volunteer to foster cats with our local organization that provides low cost spay/neuter programs and I would help with their adoption services.
Lauren says
IKEA ME!
I think I would end up with a house-load of animals after volunteering for the Humane Society.
Chesna says
IKEA ME!!!!
I would start a no kill animal shelter for animals big and small!!
Katie says
IKEA meeeee!
I’d get involved with helping out the elderly. Even simple things like delivering a meal, cleaning house, running errands, and just plain visiting can make a big difference.
Brooke Harris says
$350 gift certificate to Ikea! Christmas came early this year.
If I could take a year off I would volunteer for the non-profit organization Operation Read. It helps teach illiterate adults how to improve their reading and writing skills.
Could you imagine not being able to read? The blog world would be non-existent. Young House Love and Lung Hose Louve would be indeterminable!