*** 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.
Julie says
IKEA ME! Can you believe I have never been to Ikea? Crazy, huh?
I would love spend a year teaching swim lessons to underprivileged children. Swimming is such an essential skill and I think it is unacceptable that so many people don’t know basic water-safety skills, especially those who may live in poorer neighborhoods without easy access to a swimming pool.
Tammi says
IKEA ME!
Once my husband is home from deployment I’m going to start volunteering at the local animal shelter while he stays home with our kids. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while and now is just the right time.
Sandi says
IKEA ME!!! If I could take a year off from my life I would go to help establish a safe water supply for the people of Haiti. It’s hard to imagine not having safe water for my children.
Katie says
IKEA ME!
You guys are hitting the big time! Sponsors get more impressive every day… Congrats :)
Karla O'Connell says
IKEA ME!
I would work in schools, bringing the love of learning to others!
Ann J says
IKEA Me!!!
Nina says
IKEA ME!
How amazing is this? Very exciting! If I had a year to help other people, I would definitely want to start a non-profit…I don’t know what kind, but I would figure it out :)
Jen says
IKEA me!!! PLEASE!!!
I’d spend the year making things for the Humanitarian Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Think of all the quilts, pajamas, and toys I could make in a year if I had the resources!!! And think of how many families could be blessed with them whenever some serious disaster strikes (earthquakes, flooding, poverty, etc.). Now that would be cool!
Tara G says
IKEA ME!
If I could spend one year helping others, I would probably go abroad to teach English. I did a two week trip to teach English at a camp in China and it was the most amazing experience I’ve had. :)
Rachael says
IKEA Me!
Elizabeth S says
Ikea ME!!!
Jena @ Involving Color says
IKEA Me! I would spend a year working with dogs that need adoption.
Jennie M says
“IKEA Me!”
I would definitely do something with kids and the environment.
Kate says
IKEA ME!
I would love to work on making the poorer communities in my city safer and nicer to live in. I could do even more if I could get my work to help me out. Awesome giveaway, and the life improvement project sounds cool too!
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
IKEA ME!!!!
I would love to help the homeless in my area.
Erika Brown says
Ikea me!!
I would do exactly what I am doing, actually, but on a grander scale. I worked with high school kids for the last few years and I’d like to get more specific and help teen moms.
Lisa says
IEKA ME!
I would love to spend the year volunteering in my neighborhood; after school programs, art classes, math tutoring, mentoring, providing meals for kids that can’t afford them, etc. What an amazing year that would be!
fidget says
IKEA ME!
Emily says
Ikea me!
I’d love to work with an eye clinic in a developing country.
Cassie says
IKEA ME!
if i could volunteer for one year doing anything… well, i already run my own business and it has been a dream of mine to be able to offer my furniture/decor to decorate nurseries for babies in shelters, and to decorate rooms for shelters housing people getting on their feet, and apartments for those just coming out of the foster system(ie beocming too old and now forced to live on their own). i believe that having a safe haven to retreat and meditate in is important for personal growth.
jaclyn says
IKEA ME!
i would want to work with helping victims of abuse in some way. especially children.
Kerry says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year helping children!
Rachel says
IKEA ME!
Please!
Catherine says
Ikea me!! If I could take a year off, I’d probably go teach kids in an underdeveloped country. Or maybe even Habitat for Humanity because the building skills I’d learn would pay off when it comes to my own house!
Beth says
IKEA ME!
I would love to get more involved with micro-lending. It makes such an incredible difference in so many lives!
Jenn H says
IKEA me! I’d spend a year with Animal Friends, a fabulous animal rescue organization here in Pittsburgh
lisa says
IKEA ME!
I’d work with a local literacy foundation.
monique says
Ikea me!
Mary says
IKEA ME! I need a new couch..
I went to Carlow University in Pittsburgh, and one of our core values was providing service. I used to volunteer at a day care center for those who could not afford any kind of child care. It was both heartbreaking and so very rewarding to help out there. I would love to help out more places like that.
IKEA ME! says
My husband and I would like to open a soccer school for at-risk youth.
Mary Catherine Sears says
IKEA ME! If I could take a year off, I would volunteer at Texas Children’s Hospital in my hometown, Housston.
L says
Ikea me!
I think I’d look for someone to partner with. I’m really good at administration, but vision and charisma–not my thing, so much. $100,000 would be more than enough to support two of us for a year–I’ll do the back office stuff, and let the person who’s fantastically gifted at, say, working with children concentrate on just doing that really well and not having to worry about the paperwork.
Sara Caulder says
IKEA ME!
I would invest in opening up a daycare for young children that helps parents get financially stable by not charging so the parents can get out, work and not feel like all their money is going towards childcare. I love children but if the parents feel they are dragging then it will reflect on the kiddos.
(ps: love this weeks give away! getting married in may so I sure would love buy IKEA decor for our soon to be new pad because all this college decor will be unacceptable!)
Becky says
IKEA Me!
I would spread alcohol prevention among young people in every small town and city that I could.
Michelle says
IKEA ME!!!
I have a friend with 2 children with CF. They need a cure! I’d love to help!
Kate R. says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer as a teacher/tutor/coach in the New York City schools, for sure.
Jess says
IKEA me!
I’d spend time working with the Nick and Friends Sarcoma Foundation and reaching out to families affected by sarcoma.
Kate K. says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year to volunteer, I would volunteer at my neighborhood elementary school. I live in an adorable neighborhood with not-very-good schools. I’d be lend a hand and make a bit of a difference!
Holly W. says
IKEA ME!
I’d love to do something arty … maybe painting over graffiti with cool murals or starting an after school art program for kids!
Amy says
IKEA Me! Send me to Costa Rica and let me inventory wildlife in the rainforest.
Katherine M. says
IKEA Me!
I would love to volunteer with special needs adults.
Cortney says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year in Africa with Krochet Kids Inc.
Jordan G says
IKEA ME!
Lisak says
Ikea me!
Katie says
IKEA ME!
I’ve always wanted to start an organization that helps communities around the world learn how to start and support museums.
And, speaking of Ikea, have you heard this song? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTJEtMSuMqg
Carrie says
IKEA ME!
I’d start a national support group for kids who have lost their parents.
Wendy says
IKEA ME!!!
I would take a year off and use the money to help families of kids with autism — pay for non-covered services like behavior therapy, provide respite care, even transporation. I’d like to use a “Pay It Forward” system, where your give time or money when you can, after you’ve received services (when possible).
Lindsay says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the year starting a nonprofit community craft space. I’d provide materials and space for people to create and sell their handmades. Proceeds would go directly to meet tangible needs- food, shelter, clothing, rent, car payment, gas, prescriptions.
Lark says
IKEA Me! I would probably use my experience in education to help survivors of trafficking make a better life for themselves.
Cory Konieczny says
ikea me!! I would help widows and elderly with their houses and yards – doing carpentry and repairs.