*** 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…
******************************
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.
Christina says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year working with a local nonprofit in Louisiana that operates health clinics in public schools. For some children, the school nurse is the only health professional they ever see. So opening full scale clinics (with vision screening, dental services and mental health counselling) is the best way to reach a population that is becoming less healthy everyday.
Alicia says
IKEA ME!
I would redo an old abandon school that I went to in Kindergarten and turn it into a day care that actually teaches children stuff and doesn’t rely on TV all day. Then, after that progresses, I would turn to other areas that are also in need of this type thing.
I would love to win this gift card! I have my eye on 2 Ikea cribs for my little guys! And then, I could have some extra spending money for myself too! :)
Ben says
IKEA ME!
I would help mentor young adults who want to be world changers.
Loren says
IKEA Me
I’d spend the year helping a fair trade organization helping small businesses in third world countries make a profit.
Emily says
Ikea me!
If I had a year off, I would do something to help children in need. Would love to go to Haiti and help with clean up or to work building homes and shelters for kids and families.
Michelle says
IKEA Me!
I would love to be involved in a charity helping kids.
kelly says
IKEA ME!
Jessica says
IKEA me! I would love to promote literacy and healthy eating in our school systems
Sarah T says
IKEA me!!!
More people are enslaved today than ever before (an estimated 27 MILLION!). I would partner with an organization called Nightlight and help to rescue and rehabilitate trafficked women in Thailand.
Jess says
IKEA ME!!
I’d do something to help families with infants in the NICU.
Catherine says
IKEA me!
I would run a no-kill dog rescue, no question :)
Angela says
IKEA ME!
I would love to help teach people how to live more active/healthy lifestyles!
Anna S. says
IKEA ME! I would travel to somewhere like India and help pull women and children out of poverty by working with an orphanage or school there.
Brooke says
Ikea me!
If I got the giftcard, I’d line a wall in my office with Billy bookcases, floor to ceiling.
And if I had a year off to spend my time helping the world, I’d foster a bunch of dogs for the rescue group I adopted my two from, and I’d start a free tutoring program to help kids with their schoolwork and inspire them to learn things that they don’t “have to” know — things that they *want* to know!
Sara says
IKEA Me!
I would help children of domestic violence.
Melissa M. says
IKEA ME!
I would love to help animals.
Daph says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer in India!
Tia says
IKEA ME!
I’d take over our local cat rescue that has fallen on some hard times recently.
Charley says
IKEA ME! I would LOVE to spend a year volunteering for a women’s center or offering free design services for non-profits (something I did as a graphic design intern and loooooved it!)
Ashley says
IKEA Me!
I would love to start an early literacy program @ the local library to help (&inform) parents about teaching their little ones to read.
Thanks!
Kathy says
IKEA me! I’d spend a year lobbying Congress for increased funding for veterans and their families.
Holly Morrison Iglinski says
IKEA me!
I’m about to have a baby so I would like to volunteer helping single and/or mother’s in need with baby care service.
Lindsey Penny says
IKEA ME!
I would work at an animal shelter and help find homes for all the little fur babies.
Lauren G says
IKEA ME…..I would love to volunteer in an animal shelter. I love animals!
Melissa Barker says
IKEA Me!
As an art teacher, I would love to fund programs to keep the arts in schools.
Kimberly says
Ikea me!
I would definitely take a year to lend assistance to a local (to Asheville) no-kill (& non-profit) animal shelter called Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Animals are already super-close to my heart and the issue of animal euthanasia due to lack of space/accommodation completely ignites my passion for animal welfare.
(I’d like to do this regardless of any given circumstance or compensation.)
April L. says
IKEA ME!
I would love to work with orphans, either here or abroad.
Lori says
Ikea me!
I’d work for literacy programs, both child and adult.
kami says
IKEA ME!
i just got rid of old furniture so i have room for more!!
i have been a social worker for the past 7 years, so i’m lucky to get paid to help people. there are many rewards though!
i think that if i had a year to do anything, i would focus on bullying prevention and education. so much can be done with kids when they’re little to prevent these unfortunate circumstances later in life. i’d like to see an increase in tolerance and kindness, and it’d be cool if people would support one another in their differences, rather than use them against each other. peace and love.
Elizabeth says
IKEA me!
I would spend a year helping archives to document & fight human rights abuses.
Susanna says
IKEA Me!
I would volunteer my time at the Children’s Hospital. I’ve always wanted to but the time commitment is quite hefty. One day hopefully!
Tiffany says
IKEA ME!
I would love to open up an animal shelter. I love animals; especially dogs. It breaks my heart to see them suffering. I’d love to make changes if I had the opportunity.
Beatriz says
Ikea me!!
I would LOVE to do something to help children in the schools from low income families.
Kris says
IKEA Me!
I love taking pictures and I love dogs! So, to be able to help promote dog rescues through photographs would be a dream for me!
Jennifer W says
IKEA ME!!
I’d spend the year teaching families how to grow & prepare real food, and teaching kids about nutrition.
Meg Farrar says
IKEA Me!
I know exactly what I would. I would go to Uganda and work at the Malayka House with my sister. She’s been working with them for the past 6 years and it’s such an incredible organization. They take children of all ages who are homeless and give them food, shelter, medicine and most importantly love. That $100,000 would help them in so many ways!
Caroline says
IKEA ME!
I’d volunteer at my high school and help build their journalism program. I’d also like to help out at my elementary school (literally around the corner from my high school), where they’re always in need of support. :)
Christine says
IKEA Me!
I would love to spend a year rebuilding houses in New Orleans or Haiti or Chili. I think just having a place to call home, is really important.
amc says
Ikea me! If I had a year to focus on helping others, I would get more involved in my local community farm.
Thanks younghouselove & ikea!
Anna says
Ikea Me!
I’d probably volunteer at an animal shelter. Or figure out a way to combine my passion for knitting with helping others.
Megan says
IKEA ME
I would love to join the Peace Corp. I can’t imagine a more rewarding and life changing experiance.
Vicki Carlson says
IKEA me!!!
I would volunteer at the library.
Chris G. says
IKEA Me! tack så mycket!
Chelsea Armentano says
IKEA me!!
I’m a nurse and would love to spend a year volunteering with an organization like the Red Cross or Doctors without Borders.
KK says
IKEA me!
I would work to find homes for animals in the poorest shelters in America.
GreenInOC says
IKEA Me!
Hmmm, foster more animals, volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org), volunteer for my local Safe Haven program and maybe start fostering children.
Erin says
IKEA Me!
As a 4/5th grade teacher of over 5 years, I would spend time volunteering in classrooms, specifically to help promote a love of reading.
katie kildal says
IKEA ME!
If I had a year to take off and help others I would have a high quality free childcare program. My degree is in Child Development and I’m not using it! I’d find others to help kids with their homework and take the financial burden off of their parents.
Lauren W. says
Ikea me!
Rachelle @ Fingerprints on the Fridge says
Ikea me!
Woohoo!