*** 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.
Heidi says
IKEA ME!! I would help high school kids realize that college is possible for them–foster the idea begining as freshmen & help parents & studnets who are sophomores and juniors prepare for the application process and navigate studnet loans. There is so much out there & it is confusing. Everyone should have access to college.
Jodi says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year performing dentistry for people in rural areas where access to care is very limited.
Kelly Robertson says
IKEA ME
If I had a year to do some good I would spend it doing habitat restoration in San Diego for our natural wetlands. The wetlands are so important for migratory birds. I would love to get school kids involved in planting/weeding.
Michelle B says
I’d start and urban farm to table education program for middle school students
Michelle says
IKEA ME PLEASE!
I would spend the year managing a transitional living home for foster care youth who transition out of the system. Often they are left homeless and have no where to live.
Guenevera says
IKEA me!
If I had a year to start a philanthropic project, the two things I’d really like to do are volunteer with a pet rescue or find/start an organization that sponsors music classes for children who wouldn’t otherwise have access to music class. Arts are always on the cutting block, and it’s so essential for life.
Marci says
I would love to do something for kids in neighborhoods where there aren’t good after school programs, playgrounds, etc…
In my line of work we come across a lot of kids who just need to be allowed to play and have fun!
Lindsay says
IKEA ME!!
Michelle says
IKEA ME!!
I would volunteer for the Operation Hug-a-hero!
Maggie Malone says
IKEA ME!
i’d like to work with an adoption agency…
Astrid says
IKEA ME!
There’s so much to do with a 100K, I would really need to think about it to put the money to good use.
Andrea says
IKEA ME!
I would love to take a year to help single parents in need whatever they need.I would love to help care clean whatever.
Starting some type of foundation to help out single parents with all the little things.
Tracy Napper says
IKEA ME!
I’d volunteer at my kids’ schools and also at a public hospital; I’d love to rock the preemie babies!!
Constance says
IKEA ME!
I think the most important thing an adult can do for a child is to read to that child!!
I would spend the year reading with kids and helping to promote a non-profit like “Read across America” or other organization which helps bring the power of books and imagination to children.
Alysha says
IKEA ME! I’d volunteer at a women’s shelter and work on developing programs to outreach the trauma that children in domestic violence suffer so as to prevent future cycles of abuse.
Cate says
Ikea Me!
I would spend the year developing support systems for victims of household fires. Having lost everything I own to a careless neighbor who left a candle burning overnight on a wicker table, I have great empathy to those who loose their homes. I would spend the year developing programs to assist other families in similar situations, and developing helpful materials for victims.
mimi says
IKEA ME
He a help on those LDS medical boats that cruise to remote parts of the world and set up a clinic for 10-14days. I would never want to go back normal life. :)
Joy says
Ikea me!
I’d move to Africa and work on health care access issues.
Julie says
IKEA ME
If I had a year off to help others I would spend it working in the Foster care program.
Michelle B says
oh… and IKEA ME!
Tiffany S. says
“IKEA Me!”
OMG – We soooo need this gift card!
If I had a year off, I would work with the city and surrounding farms to improve their Farm to Table programs. Whether it would be to introduce inner-city kids to farm-fresh produce or work with the farmers to increase their clientele in the city.
Katie says
Ikea Me!! I would love to help sick children in the hospital and their families. Toys for kids, cooking, cleaning for the families, anything they want or need.
Amanda Shepard says
IKEA ME!!!!!!!!
My husband and I would probably spend a year doing mission work!
Kristen says
IKEA Me!
Because I saw how hard my mom had to work and how difficult things were for my family, I’ve always wished I had the time and money to help single moms… especially those that don’t have a home.
Jessica B says
IKEA ME!
I would use my time and resources to help feed the hungry (including humans & animals :). I know a lot of food shelters around the country have recently had to close their doors because they didn’t have enough “supplies” for those in need. I think if more people knew this was going on they would definitely help out!
brenna says
IKEA Me! I would definitely want to do something with kids. I currently volunteer for the First Tee (golf), so that would be fun to do for a year!
Tashia D says
IKEA ME!
I would love to volunteer working with Alzheimer’s patients families. I know how much the families need to know they’re not alone.
Lindsay A says
IKEA Me! A whole year off is almost unfathomable. I’d like to do something with children; maybe enrichment programs for homeless youth.
Amanda says
IKEA ME!
As a healthcare profession, I would want to help adults and children who are unfortunate to not have health insurance.
meryl rose says
IKEA ME!
I’d start an after school program for disadvantaged youth.
pam Grieco says
IKEA ME!
I am not really sure where I would spend the year – there are so many that need help……
Pam
Elle says
IKEA ME! For years, I’ve dreamed about traveling to national disaster sites to aid in the rebuilding process. I’ve always wanted to do that. In fact, I’ve recently started the process of volunteering with the Red Cross. I’ve also always wanted to start my own organization to help the survivors of sexual abuse (I don’t like the word “victim”).
Emily says
IKEA me! Please. :)
If I could spend a year volunteering I would go and advocate change every day to my state’s education superintendent about the public school system. I’d be there every day, knocking on his door, writing letters, emails, whatever, every. day.
Amy N. says
IKEA me!!
I would probably spend a year giving accounting assistance to small not-for-profits. Many don’t have a proper book-keeping system that could keep them from getting into financial troubles.
Lindsay says
I would volunteer all of my time to Habitat for Humanity
Rachel says
Ikea Me! I would definitely start some sort of dog rescue. They are near and dear to my heart.
Christie says
IKEA ME!
I’d help kids either through mentoring with big brothers/big sisters or through fostercare.
deanna says
IKEA ME!!
I would definitely do something to help kids with no access to the dentist or eye doctor.
Anayancy says
IKEA ME PLEASE!! I would work/start programs to provide safe drinking water to people who need it!
Candice says
IKEA Me! First time homebuyer, it’d definitely come in handy lol
There are still many places in the word that don’t have clean drinking water. I’d spend my time going to those types of places and help build better filtration and irrigation systems. Sometimes, basic things like clean water can make a huge difference.
LJ says
IKEA me! A whole year to work a non-profit?! AWESOME! Wouldn’t it be fun to pack up the hus and babe and go for a year long mission trip somewhere in Africa? Maybe Mothers without Borders? FUN!
Sespi says
IKEA me!
I’d spend the year working with military kids who have deployed parents.
Ellen says
IKEA ME!!!
I would definitely volunteer at my local schools. Especially with recent budget cutbacks, public schools need all the help they can get. Plus — it would be so rewarding to help kids who might not have any support at home.
Amanda says
“IKEA ME!”
I have always wanted to volunteer in a soup kitchen. Maybe it’s time to find the time to actually do it!
Meaghan says
Ikea Me!
Shauna says
Go with my hubby and set up a clinic for Dr.s w/out Borders!
Natalie says
IKEA ME!
I would love to promote literacy within our community. There are several great programs in place, but they do not have the volunteers or resources ($$$) to take it where it needs to go. I would love to aid them to make the programs more effective and reach more children in our community.
Jessenia Rader says
IKEA ME!!!!!!
I am a OR nurse; I volunteer with a local organization called Faces Foundation(Portland, OR) that travels to Peru and fixes cleftlip and palates. What makes this program special to me than other organizations is that they take it a step further and perform surgeries on the worst cases. They follow these kids and do the series of surgeries that they need and through the magic of internet they also provide speech therapy. The older kids in turn mentor the younger ones through this process and serves as a mentor. They also partner with other organizations working in the same areas and promote community health programs that benefit the communities that their families are living in remote area of Northern Peru. If I could take the year off I would donate the full year to helping support, plan and carryout their programs.
Kara says
Ikea Me!
I’d set up a free childcare center for parents who are still in school. If a teen mother finishes high school, her child is significantly less at-risk than if she didn’t. And if she can finish college, things are that much better. The data is pretty staggering on this point. We need to empower at-risk families by offering them meaningful support.
amy says
Ikea ME!
I’d work with children with life threatening diseases…