***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!***
Random.org has selected the two random folks who are about to get $100 to IKEA. And they are… Jennifer (who improves lives by teaching and will also be adopting a child from Ethiopia) and Ashley (who says needs some improvement for herself). Congrats!
If you take one thing away from this post, it should be this: two people are winning $100 gift cards to IKEA this week. Woot! But if you have room for a second thing, know that it’s because Ikea is hosting their second annual Life Improvement Project that, among other things (like hilariously helpful “instructions” for living a better life) includes another $100,000 Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest. So if you’ve got a great idea about how to help others, IKEA will give you one year and one hundred grand to make it happen. Last year’s winner (whose video can be seen here) was actually from right here in Virginia. Double woot!
- PRIZE: An $100 gift card to IKEA, courtesy of the IKEA Life Improvement Project
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “IMPROVE ME!” and tell us…
- BONUS QUESTION: …how you’d like to improve the lives of others. Do you have a special skill or talent that you could leverage? Or is there a specific cause or area of need that you’d like to dedicate yourself too?
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, October 12 at 8pm EST (or at 10,000 entries)
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: Two
- PRIZE SHIPS: The continental 48 United States (although we do try to wrangle as many international giveaways as possible)
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday as an update to this post. That’s right, come right back here on Thursday for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
Note: We weren’t paid or perked for hosting this giveaway, we just do ‘em to thank you awesome folks for stopping in. See our Giveaway FAQ page for more info. Pics courtesy of IKEA Life Improvement Project
Valerie says
IMPROVE ME!
While I have many ideas for improving my life and even those around me, I think the best means for improvement, true, lasting improvement, is a relationship with Jesus Christ. It may sound cliche, but truth is truth.
Beth says
IMPROVE ME! I would really like to work on educating school districts about the multilingual education experience (my current thesis work). I think this is especially important for school districts that have large immigrant populations.
Sarah says
IMPROVE ME!
I have a dream of teaching kids about technology. It’s such important stuff for kids to learn and they learn so little in school. Being able to create a Facebook account or type up an assignment is not enough!
Megan says
Improve me! I want to start a diaper drive to help needy families in my city get clean fresh diapers for their babies.
Caitlin says
IMPROVE ME! I teach and would love to find new ways to help my students.
Wom-mom Ethne says
IMPROVE ME!
Alyssa says
IMPROVE ME! I would love to help put a stop to animal cruelty.
Marissa says
IMPROVE ME! i would like to improve the lives of others by helping spread the word about to women avoiding unnecessary c-sections in the united states. induction/medical intervention rates are astronomical in this country, compared with others, and doctors are working hard to convince mothers that their bodies cannot handle the work they were made to do (all so they can go play golf by the end of the day)!! sorry, i just got a little “soap-box-y”…
Matt says
Improve me!
jamie says
IMPROVE ME
I donate to Cancer charities. Lost my mom to Cervical Cancer in 09.
Sarah says
IMPROVE ME!
It so nice to read the various ways people wish to improve the lives of others :) I would like to help others realize the importance of routine screening (mammograms, PSA tests etc).
Theresa says
Improve me! My cause is prematurity: education, awareness, research…so much to do to help these babies!
Erin says
IMPROVE ME!
I want to help others by making sure to reach out to my students more with their day to day lives instead of simply schoolwork. I want all of my students to know that someone cares about them.
Carly says
IMPROVE ME!!!!
My mom and I are passionate about fighting hunger in our community by work closely with our church and other organizations to help keep our local food pantry stocked.
Sarah J. says
Improve me! I wish I could spend more time volunteering with the local humane society.
Wom-mom Ethne says
I would like to blog full-time (even keeping in mind that you guys work really hard in the un-seen stuff like sponsor invoice-reminders) for a year and do fun stuff in our community for kids my kids’ age. I could definitely think of lots of fun stuff to do.
Amanda says
IMPROVE ME! I currently volunteer for a pregnancy counseling center!
Nikki Kelly says
Improve Me! I would love to volunteer for habitat for humanity! I just need to look into doing it anyway, but if I didn’t have to work for a year could do it all the time!
Laura says
IMPROVE ME!!!!!!!!!! I would spend a year teaching parents how to advocate for their children and themselves.
Diana says
IMPROVE ME!
Nate says
“IMPROVE ME!” Teach teamwork and responsibility to the younger generation!
LARY says
IMPROVE ME!
I wanna help foundations like TOMS! What a great idea of giving shoes to others while you get comfy shoes too! :)
katherine says
IMPROVE ME!
I would like to educate people about responsibly choosing and taking care of their pets to improve both their lives and those of the animals, and reduce the numbers of animals that go to shelters/are put down. (Sort of for people).
Chetarina says
IMPROVE ME! As a soon-to-be-lawyer, I’d like to help those that can’t afford outrageous legal fees.
Amy @ Lovely Nest says
IMPROVE ME!
I love the idea of helping people create homes they feel proud of, especially in poorer areas, whether it be by painting rooms, adding in new accessories or just doing minor home improvement projects. When people care about their homes I think it creates such a better neighborhood & environment.
stacy says
Improve Me!
Stephanie says
IMPROVE ME!
Well I am a teacher, so I like to think I improve the lives of kids everyday :) Besides that I would love to get involved with a mentor type organization, so I can work directly one on one with a child.
Anna says
Improve me, please!!!
I would give everyone a hug and a hand-made card. :)
Meredith K A says
IMPROVE ME! I would totes use this to buy the crib I’m registered for at Ikea… I think it’s called Sniglar.
And since I’m in this mode right now, my way of helping other people would be to help them purge unneeded posessions. I am in Round Two of Getting Rid of Lots Of Posessions (by donating, Craigslisting, upcycling, or just plain old trashing), and it’s HARD to tell yourself that you’re really never going to use or wear an item you’ve been saving, even if it’s been sitting in the back of a closet for 2+ years! The secret is realizing it’s causing you more stress than it could ever be worth to save it now for some unknown future usefulness. My sister is an AWESOME helper at this task, and when she comes and helps me with purging, I end up actually getting rid of a lot more stuff, so that would be my helpful thing: be the dispassionate 3rd party helper for someone else to purge unnecessary belongings. It really is liberating, as I know the YHL family is aware!
ellen says
IMPROVE ME, pretty please?
Leslie says
“IMPROVE ME!” For the last 4 years I have been designing and creating aprons and apron patterns as a way to connect with women around the world. Through this I hope to pass my LOVE of sewing down to the next generation while connecting with women everywhere. Example: I am in contact with a missionary in Uganda who is teaching women to sew using my patterns. This will give them an income that will pay for their children to attend school. My dream: Grow this concept!
Dawn Levasseur says
“IMPROVE ME” I’ve always been dedicated to organizations who shelter, foster, care for, spay/neuter, adopt, etc… kitties. I volunteer for The Cat Angel Network and recently adopted a deaf cat.
Jenn says
IMPROVE ME! I love my job! I get to improve the lives of infants and toddlers with language & feeding disorders.
Alyssa says
IMPROVE ME! I am a teacher so I want to improve the lives of my students! :)
Sarah D says
IMPROVE ME! I really enjoy spending time with children and would love to help them learn and grow all day every day.
Nicole McPhate says
IMPROVE ME!
I really want to improve the lives of others by taking pictures of families and kids who can’t afford good portraits. I love photography and I think that families who don’t have the funds to get proper pictures of their families deserve that. Sometimes a photo is all the memory we have left of people, and they deserve something they can hold on to!
Ursula says
IMPROVE ME!! I would like to help with the adoption of pets!!
ellis says
IMPROVE ME!
I teach journalism in middle school. On my best days, I hope my classes are helping students to understand how much they’re alike in spite of their differences, and how rewarding it can be to spotlight others’ accomplishments.
Sally says
IMPROVE ME!
Currently I’m volunteering to teach ways to reduce energy use at home. It’s not just about the environment – it’s also about saving money. I especially like helping low income families save money on their utility bills.
My partner and I saved ~$400 this summer after installing a programmable thermostat last fall! As a cheapster like John and Sherry, this big savings for a <$100 home improvement makes me giddy with excitement.
Hannah says
IMPROVE ME! I would love to help students learn to read. I currently teach high school, and its depressing how many students do not read on grade level – yet they are still promoted!
Anne H. says
IMPROVE ME!
I would love to help kids that are behind in school by after-school tutoring!
Lindsay says
Improve me! I am currently a dental hygiene student. I want to help improve public knowledge on the importance of good oral hygiene, especially for kids!
Ami says
IMPROVE ME! I would love to help people get organized. Not many things give me as much pleasure as seeing alphabetized DVDs or tidy drawers. I know I’m just a ball of fun.
Emily says
IMPROVE ME!
I would like to help people by traveling to countries in need and help bring them healthcare.
Kat says
Improve me! I donate my milk to nicu babies and make an effort to teach my family about recycling and donating to those in need. I just ordered unicef boxes for all of my neighbors for halloween.
Nessa@{CasaBraaflat} says
IMPROVE ME! my cause is far from grand but it’s just to make my kids thoughtful human beings. i think if more parents had that as a goal the world wouldn’t be quite as cruel.
Amy @ this DIY life says
IMPROVE ME!
For years now, I have wanted to start a non-profit called Bradly’s Blankets but haven’t had the time or the resources. Named after my brother, I would make blankets for parents with children in the NICU. Since many parents stay with their children while they are in the NICU, they should have a warm blanket to wrap up in during their stay there.
Hillary says
IMPROVE ME!
While I love being a teacher and like to think I help kids on a daily basis, I’m extra passionate about helping people live a healthier lifestyle: how to eat better, exercise, etc. I’m no expert, but my own life experiences have taught me a lot!
Jen says
IMPROVE ME! I like to support Doctors Without Borders, UMCOR, and our local food pantries.
Amelia R. says
Improve Me!
If I had the free time, I’d improve people’s lives by helping create good graphic design in place of cluttered brochures and unattractive store signs.