*** 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.
One Junk Drawer says
“IKEA Me!”
something with books and kids
Jodi says
IKEA Me!
I would definitely want to do something related to childhood obesity – start a camp, an after school program, an in-school program, anything really.
Michaela says
IKEA ME!
I’m currently the manager of an after-school program for at-risk kids here in Indianapolis. I can think of a million ways to use that $ for our program!
Katie says
oh wow! IKEA ME!
If I had a year to help others, I would love to be able to introduce music, music education, and the arts to children so they learn to appreciate and support it as adults.
Thanks!
Lydia says
IKEA ME!!
I’d set up a support program for adult children taking care of parents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. I’ve taken care of my mom and now I’m taking care of my father and haven’t found the kind of resouces I’ve been really needing in my area.
Jenna says
IKEA ME!
My volunteer time would go to rescue animals.
Amy says
Ikea Me!
I currently work with newly resettled refugees, I would love to implement programming to help the children from these families adjust and adapt better to their new lives in the U.S.
Courtney says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year, I would probably work in internal missions. I really have a heart for kids so an orphanage in India or working to stop child sex trafficing would probably be my first choice.. Domestically I would try to work with The Sunshine Kids or open a shelter that feeds/houses the homeless, teaches them a skilled trade, and infiltrates them back into society.
ChaChi says
IKEA ME – I would love to be able to do an afterschool program. Crafts, sewing, arts things of that sort.
tiffany says
IKEA me!
I would help homeless mothers and children.
Holly says
IKEA Me!!
I would spend my year working to rescue homeless animals!
Melissa says
IKEA Me! I would spend the year helping rescue animals.
Gretchen says
IKEA me!
I’m not sure exactly what I’d do, but I know it would involve kids and education. Maybe tutoring or starting an after-school program for at risk kids? Something along those lines.
steph says
IKEA ME.
i would like to volunteer in baltimore, there are so many non-profits that could use full time staff.
Jennelle says
IKEA me!!
I would help families with hospitalized kids–particularly, the siblings. It’s scary stuff for any kid to go through, and a lot of times the siblings get overlooked (I know–I’ve been there!)!
Liz says
Ikea me!
I’d do work with microloans, specifically targeting women entrepreneurs and helping them get started.
Kirin says
IKEA ME!!
My husband and I are moving to Buffalo, NY soon and I’d love to take a year to help revitalize the city . . . possibly by helping turn some of the abandoned properties into affordable housing options for the poor.
Andrea says
IKEA me!!
Emily says
IKEA ME!
I would help kids in the inner city of Richmond just learn how to read. It’s amazing how many junior’s in high school here can’t read.
stephanie says
IKEA ME! If I had the opportunity, I would love to volunteer as a grant writer to help secure funds for single mother entrepreneurs.
My husband’s dream is to provide free retirement planning advice for REGULAR people like us — people who just want to be sure they’re as prepared as possible for the costs we’ll face later on (health care, housing, etc.) and not be a burden to our children. We all deserve this.
Jennifer V. says
IKEA ME!!! I would volunteer at the schools around/in my area. I would love to work with children.
Katherine M. says
IKEA ME!
Amy says
IKEA me!
I would spend a year opening or volunteering at an existing after school program in the San Francisco bay area.
Annette says
I would help fund the homeless shelter I currently run, as funds are alwasy low.
Andy says
IKEA me!
I would help fight adult illiteracy through my local public library’s program.
Leslie says
Ikea Me
I would go over seas to help rural villages establish clean water systems.
Rebecca says
Ikea me!
I would love to work with either foster kids or senior citizens.
Ashley says
IKEA ME!
I’m not sure what I’d do… maybe a little bit of everything. It would be amazing though!
Leann says
IKEA ME!!
I’d love to work on improving education in third world countries. Knowledge is power!
Courtney F. says
“IKEA Me!”
If I were to spend a year helping others, I’d set up a counseling program for high school students and recent grads. So many people go to college with no idea what they want to do, or where they want their education to take them, all the while racking up student loan debt (I should know–that was me!). The program I envision would let them explore different career paths, shadow professionals, intern, and help them make sure the plan they have is really what they want to do in life.
Alisa D. says
IKEA Me!
If I could spend one year helping others I would like to do something that cheers up/helps sick kids and their families.
Jen says
Ikea me!
I would spend my time at PAWS animal shelter – where I got my dog Mack :)
Ashley says
IKEA ME!!!
I have always wanted to open a shelter for any neglected animal, with enough room for them to run and play and not need to be in cages.. no kill of course!!
Alyssa says
IKEA ME!
I think I’d have a hard time picking just one thing to do with non-profit funds for a year, but I think I’d lean toward opening an after-school educational program for inner city kids in Boston
Annika says
IKEA ME!
Without a doubt I would love to rescue animals, and at the same time do a program for cancer patients. Kind of like…bring in dogs to see patients who are stuck in the hospital and miss their pets at home. I’ve seen so much joy when patients see their pet or any animal, for that matter.
Kate says
IKEA Me!
I would love to help with an animal rescue organization.
Madi says
Ikea Me!
I would start a non-profit farm to teach people to be more self-sufficient.
Hannah C says
IKEA ME!
Haley says
IKEA ME!
I would love to open a soup kitchen using local, organic, nutritious food!
Christine says
IKEA Me!
I would teach Dave Ramsey’s financial class to people struggling with debt and/or help educate parents and families about raw/whole foods, proper nutrition, and how to cook budget-friendy, healthy food at home.
Jennifer says
IKEA me!!
I would love to go on a service trip and help educate children.
Shreya says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the year working with women in developing countries.
Holly says
IKEA ME!
I’d use the time/money to open up a community arts school in one of the (too many) vacant buildings in my local downtown business area!
Julia says
IKEA me!
I’d start an in-school drama program for schools that have had to cut their arts curriculum.
Jennie says
IKEA ME!
Katie B says
IKEA ME!
I would work with meals on wheels. They were so great with my Grandmother right before she passed. I promised them I would donate my time in thanks!
Amy says
IKEA ME!
I would work with animal shelters.
Nicole Payne says
Ikea Me!
Before I had my son I worked for a health related non-profit. I can’t tell you how eye-opening it was to see the elderly, a population that in my opinion should be protected, fall through the cracks regarding their health. If I had the $$ I would focus on making sure the elderly get the care they need to imporove their quality of life.
Morgan S. says
Ikea me!
I would help at a cat shelter.
ciara says
IKEA ME!
I would connect with local non-profits offering residential services to marginalized youth in the community or with the local juvenile detention center. Any available space on the properties could be used to start garden/farm spaces. Produce and products from the farms could be sold at farmer’s markets and grocery stores or online like a CSA. Youth would work the farm and the markets, learning important job skills. All proceeds would go directly back to the youth.