*** 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.
Brooke says
IKEA ME!
I think I would work with school kids somehow – whatever they needed me to do!
Robert says
IKEA ME! With a year to spend helping people, I would start a non-profit to help fight homelessness in my area and to ease the burden on existing organizations tackling the same problem.
Kim says
Ikea ME!! I would either work rescuing animals or develop a program to mentor and build self-esteem in children, especially young girls. I grew up in a single parent household and am now a single parent raising a young man. I truly believe if girls are taught self-esteem and self-worth at a young age, we can prevent a lot of problems in the future, ie: teen pregnancies, dropping out of school, kids raised in single parent households, education issues, all which have an impact on our society on a greater scale.
Katie says
IKEA ME!
Toss-up… Either rescuing animals or volunteering for an organization that helps young girls realize how smart, strong, and beautiful they are!
Laura F. says
IKEA Me!
I would love to volunteer for a year, and honestly, I would be open to most volunteer opportunities!
Elizabeth says
IKEA Me!
If I could take a year off to help I’d teach underserved populations (inner city or rural or others).
Caitlin says
IKEA Me!!
I think I would volunteer in a Nursing Home. Spending time with people and just talking to them. I think it would be beneficial to both parties :)
Louise says
IKEA me!
kim says
Ikea ME!! I would develop a program to mentor and build self-esteem in children, especially young girls. I grew up in a single parent household and am now a single parent raising a young man. I truly believe if girls are taught self-esteem and self-worth at a young age, we can prevent a lot of problems in the future, ie: teen pregnancies, dropping out of school, kids raised in single parent households, education issues, all which have an impact on our society on a greater scale.
Jon'el says
IKEA Me! I would to commit to volunteering at the local SPCA on a regular basis. I currently go there at least once a week and pet the animals. It really makes me sick how people can treat animals. I am currently fostering a 2 month puppy who was abused by his former owners. He is a doll and when he can be adopted I will.
LizO says
IKEA ME!!
I’m a newly minted lawyer, and I would spend a year giving free legal help to low-income families. So many people need it (especially now!) and there are so few legal aid attorneys.
Melissa Sanchez says
IKEA ME!
I would help the young disabled war veterns
Sara Randall says
IKEA me!!! I would spend my time in a wildlife rehabilitation center in another country or spend time helping in a foster parent program. :-)
danielle says
ikea me
Amber Anderson says
IKEA ME!!!
If I had a whole year to help however I wanted to would volunteer with the Compassion organization.
Nina says
Ikea Me! I actually have been volunteering since getting married to my husband. I am a stay at home mother and since I don’t like to leave her we have decided to volunteer everytime that he is deployed. Last year we helped with the YMCA and this year we were fortunate enough to purchase a home from habitat for humanity. With one of the requirements being putting in sweat equity hours I have really enjoyed helping build these homes. If I were able to help volunteer for a year it would be to continue to build homes for others to enjoy and also help habitat raise funds to build these homes. As a community of 29 recipients we are all finding ways in making a difference and helping raise funds for future home owners. I would recommend volunteering at at least one build because it is truly a life changing experience!
Rachel H. says
Ikea ME!
I would love to start a non-profit teaching people about sustainable practices and energy improving techniques in their homes and businesses.
Gretchen says
IKEA ME!!!
I would volunteer my time with kids who need some love. I have 2 kids and it breaks my heart to see those who don’t have a loving home to go to after school.
Sarah says
IKEA ME!
oooooo please! I’d volunteer with a green building organization and at a local school!
kim says
Ikea ME!! I would love to work rescuing animals or work on something very close to my heart and develop a program to mentor and build self-esteem in children, especially young girls. I grew up in a single parent household and am now a single parent raising a young man. I truly believe if girls are taught self-esteem and self-worth at a young age, we can prevent a lot of problems in the future, ie: teen pregnancies, dropping out of school, kids raised in single parent households, education issues, all which have an impact on our society on a greater scale.
Stephanie says
IKEA ME!!
I would spend a year mentoring younger ladies from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter a math/scientific career (i.e. showing the importance of having a strong background in math and science for future success). Lets help women get competitive while they’re still young!
Stacy says
IKEA Me! I would spend a year donating print design services to non-profits, and volunteering at my child’s school.
Danny Duarte says
IKEA ME! My wife and I would go out to the Dominican Republic and serve all year with Del Corazon de Jesus: (http://www.delcorazon.org/) a medical and education ministry.
Danielle says
IKEA Me!!!!!!!
I would volunteer at a bereavement center helping children and families who lost loved ones cope with their loss, or go on a medical mission trip overseas.
HIlary says
IKEA ME! I would love to take a year to teach English in South America or Vietnam.
Jess says
IKEA Me!
I would help people learn how to read!
Valla says
IKEA Me!
I would help underprivileged families get back on their feet- teaching them skills that they can use to build a future for their family. Everyone deserves a chance!
Tiffany says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year and $100,000, wow the things I would do. I have worked with behaviorally challenged kiddos for almost three years now in VA school systems. Over and over, I’ve seen the importance of early interventions, nutrition, and education in the lives of these kids… Not to mention a serious need for simple love and compassion.
I would take a portion of the money and start a program supportive to parents and children to link them to resources and provide counseling and parenting classes. I would work with local colleges to help parents get education to give their kids the best possible chance.
And, I would donate money to HART rescue, a great animal rescue in Northern Virginia, who has done an amazing job finding loving homes for cats and dogs facing euthanasia in Virginia.
Last but not least, I would focus on three more areas – AIDS education and research, cancer research, and programs for disabled. So many things I’d like to do… and one day, I will. :)
ellie says
Ikea Me!! If I could, I would volunteer at an orphanage in Mexico. Those kids are so sweet and it would be awesome to help them out.
Holly G says
IKEA ME! In a heartbeat – I would be in Africa distributing water filtration products~
Mallory says
IKEA Me!
I’d love to volunteer as a Big Brothers Big Sisters employee. Its a great organization!
Megan says
IKEA ME! I’d probably rescue animals. I’d love to help animals find loving homes… and I’d open a no kill shelter and use the money to feed and provide shelter for the animals:)
Lydia says
IKEA ME!!!
If i could take a year off i’d go abroad and work at an orphanage
Nicole says
IKEA ME!
I would definitely take a year to help foster homeless animals and donate time at the animal shelter.
Terri-Leigh Huleis says
IKEA ME!!!!
Having realised that happiness is not where you are it is who you are with, hubby and I have decided to stay in our tiny less than ideal apartment in order to save money for the more important things in life.
We have decided to instead change the small things in our apartment that we do not like. This prize would go a far way in helping us with decorative touches and storage solutions!!!
Philanthropically, we currently run a not for profit informal organization, Sow Many Smiles that goes into Children’s homes in the greater Los Angeles area and teaches the kids about organic gardening. We plant seedling through out the year, nurture them, harvest them, enjoy the produce and dry out the herbs to make gifts for the kids teachers and parents! We would love to have help funding next years seeds/tools. We would also love to be able to procure a small plot of land where we could open a community garden in which we would invite the locals/homeless to garden and share in the produce at no cost!
What a great prize! What a great blog!
xTerri-Leigh Huleis
http://www.wix.com/seedsnsmiles/Sow-Many-Smiles
Kelly L. says
IKEA Me!
If I could take a year off, I’d work with autistic kids. The parents of autistic kids go through so much day in and day out. If I could provide a “little break” for them it would be so worth it.
Danielle says
“ikea ME!”
I love animals so…
I would like to spend a year working with organizations like WWF to help endangered species and help protect their natural environments!
Arlene says
IKEA ME!!! If I could take a year off, I’d spend it cleaning up the oil spill and providing clean drinking water to those in need.
Hannah says
IKEA me!
If I could take a year off to volunteer, I’d probably keep doing what I’m already doing – teaching children, specifically teens. I’m in my first year of teaching, and I teach at the high school level. And I’ve become amazed at how many students say they can’t go home and do homework for whatever reason (some legitimate & some not). But I think opening up an afterschool program where teens could come to get help with homework or just have a safe haven would be an awesome way to spend a year volunteering! :)
Stacee says
IKEA ME! I would go live in Africa and help build wells!
Erinn says
IKEA Me!
I am inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama and would work with groups to advocate arts education in schools. Example: http://www.keepartsinschools.org/
Crystal W says
IKEA me! :)
Wow, if I had a year free to help, I don’t know where I’d begin! I’d like to help animals, increase knowledge of how to treat animals, help elderly, help kids in need… It’d be hard to choose.
Brandi says
IKEA ME!!
I would volunteer for a school and an animal shelter.
Teresa says
IKEA ME!
I would like to help babies and mothers somehow.
Mindy says
IKEA me!
If I were to spend a year serving, I would go to a less fortunate country and build schools and libraries for the community.
Melinda says
IKEA ME! I would do all the volunteer stuff at my kids’ school that I miss out on because I’m working!!
Emily says
IKEA me!!!!!!! I would definitely work for a wildlife park in africa or the amazon.
Janelle says
IKEA ME! I would volunteer my time to a charitable organization called Shelterbox, which provides emergency shelter and supplies to people in crisis all over the world.
Dana says
Idea Me!
If I could take a year off of work, I would pay it forward as a FIRST volunteers helping kids get interested in science and engineering.
Katie Jones says
Ikea Me!
I would like to start support groups for new moms, because this is the hardest thing I have ever done!