*** 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.
Becky says
IKEA ME!
I would love to have the year off and work with re-vamping our county 4-H program and fairgrounds. Such great life skills taught in this program!
Jessica says
IKEA MEEEEE!
If I could spend one year helping others, I’d go the route of helping kids with cancer. I have a few young cousins that are currently battling this horrible disease and they just miss out on so much of their childhood. I’d love to help with make a wish or even spend time at a hospital in hopes of making their day somehow. Unfortunately, my schedule does not allow for this at the moment(and neither does my wallet). This is my “If I won the lotto and could quit my job, I would…” kind of thing to do.
Amy Stoks says
Ikea Me!
I would love to start a non-profit that helps provide scholarships and college planning and application assistance for low income children.
Amber F says
IKEA ME! I would teach and share my knowledge of special education with a community that needed it.
Lauren says
IKEA Me!!
I would want to help children in poor areas by offering them the chance to use their time doing positive things. I would want to start free sports camps and clinics, as well as different craft classes for those not into sports. I think creating this positive energy will give children something to look forward to and also help them to stay out of trouble.
laura says
IKEA me!
I would work with underprivileged children in my community.
Leigh says
IKEA ME!
I would do something to help homeless animals. What a dream that would be!
Hillary says
IKEA ME!
I would spend the time doing pro bono legal work for the elderly.
Angela S. says
IKEA ME!
I would definitely spend my time helping animals.
Iraida says
“IKEA Me”
Oh My WORD!! I could so use this to buy frames for my naked walls, wicker chair I need to complete the entryway, lamps for my dark room :) etc etc etc….
And oh my! What would I do, either a “step-to” home for those loosing their jobs and hence their homes to forclosure so that they may have a place to step into while in the transition of finding new job and home and step out to their new journey… A decent and fully equiped-with educational-needs day care for those with low wages, cuz daycare it’s so expensive, especially a decent looking one! Oh my, so many ideas running through my mind, feed the hungry, health check ups for the uninsured, etc etc…
Andrea says
Ikea Me!
If I had a year off to help others I would definitely use it to give back to animals in need. We adopted our puppy from a local no-kill shelter over a year ago and I can’t imagine life without him. There is a desperate need for more places like these.
Dawn says
IKEA me!!
My husband and I currently work with teenagers, and I’d love to take a year and involve the teens in working with the hungry and homeless in our local Detroit area.
Mandy says
IKEA Me!
I would spend my time mentoring inner city kids in leadership, to help them see the potential in them to become the next President, or anything they wanted. And also something to do with animals
Jeff says
IKEA ME!
I would establish more urban gardens!
Calli says
IKEA ME!
Taylor says
IKEA Me!
If I had a year and the money to help people, I would help families who have children with Cystic Fibrosis. My husband has CF and I feel I am fairly educated in regards to the disease so I would go to people’s homes who have children with CF and educate them on the disease, on medication and on treatments.
Lucy says
IKEA ME! I would spend a year developing community gardens and healthy food education programs for kids throughout southern New Jersey!
Molly says
IKEA ME!
I would do something to help children who are in the foster care system or without a family.
mere... says
IKEA Me! My boyfriend is in the U.S. Navy and I’ve always appreciated the work the USO does. I would love to become a full time volunteer with the organization.
Meg says
IKEA Meeee? Yes, IKEA ME!
If I could spend one year helping others, I would help a bunch of elementary schools start gardens on their school grounds. I would consult with the children and the school communities and then help them to design garden spaces that fit their needs. It is so important that we provide spaces to reconnect today’s youth with nature– and that schools have a space to teach kids about food!
Jill McD says
IKEA ME!
I would spend a year doing medical work in Africa with my brother.
Dylan says
IKEA Me!
I’d probably volunteer at our local hands-on science museum.
Kelsey says
IKEA me!
I’d probably work either with underprivileged children in schools or work with animal shelters.
staceys says
IKEA ME!
My husband is a GC, so for a 1 yr sabbatical I’d join up with habitat for humanity.
Amy says
IKEA me!!!
I would want to spend the year helping to start a pet rescue and educate others about the importance of not only adopting animals in need of good homes but also on the importance of spaying/neutering their pets.
Callina Wood says
IKEA ME! I’ve actually spent a year volunteering with Americorps to help underserved youth in poverty, but if I could do it again, I’d do something related to public health. Maybe helping to build clinics or teach health education to areas in need.
Robin J says
IKEA ME! If I had a year off and could volunteer, I would probably spend the year teaching English as a second language and teaching adults to read. As an educator, I’ve always wanted to reach out to this demographic and have had the chance to work with non-native English speakers and REALLY loved it. I would love to help in that capacity!
Carolyn S says
“IKEA Me!” I think I’d either want to volunteer at an animal shelter, or do something to help the environment or promote recycling.
josh says
IKEA me.
Haiti relief programs, for sure.
Leigh says
IKEA me!
I would spend the money get musical instruments and private lessons to kids that are not able to afford them but want to participate in school band and orchestras.
Anne says
IKEA ME!
I love to tutor new Americans who are trying to learn English. I’d be happy to do it all day.
Elisa B says
“IKEA me!” and I would pick up yet another Expedit bookcase and finally tackle redecorating our front living room. I LOVE IKEA!
I have no idea how I would spend a year…just the thought of taking a year sabbatical is quite scary! But I think I would stick close to home and try to connect with some type of women’s shelter, or something that helps needy children. I honestly haven’t looked into anything like that before.
Kristin says
IKEA ME!
I would start a special needs childcare program.
Lauren says
IKEA ME!
If I could take a year off I would love to get my hands in a ton of things. Working with youth in low-income/high violence areas would be first. I would also love to get involved in animal rescue efforts and education. Heck, I’ll combine the two and start a urban youth/animal education/rescue program!
Lisa S. says
Ikea Me please!
I would like to do some kind of mentoring program with kids- a Big Brother/Big Sister type of thing.
Mara T. says
IKEA ME!
I would volunteer at an animal shelter and be an adoption counselor to match people up with animals that would mesh well with their lifestyles as well as provide people with education and resources to make sure that they can care for their animals properly.
Melody says
IKEA me!!
I would spend my time rehabilitating abused animals and helping them get ready to live in their forever homes! I already have 2 rescues, and I love them so much – I don’t understand why either of them were in shelters for as long as they were. I guess we were just the perfect fit for them!
Hillary Rotondo says
“IKEA Me!”
I would start a rescue/foster organization for misplaced animals that are waiting in kill shelters for loving homes.
Kate says
Ikea Me!
I would love to spend a year rescuing and rehabilitating horses.
Catherine says
IKEA Me!
I would help develop some kind of free technical training or career education courses.
Conor says
IKEA ME!
I’d work with high school students graduate. Denver has a super low graduation rate – less than half graduate.
Kristine says
IKEA ME! I would love to spend a year mentoring first-year college students from underprivileged backgrounds–that first year away from home can be killer
Betty says
Ikea Me!
I would spend a year helping out FBRN, the French bulldog rescue. We just got a French bulldog last year, and we love him to death even though he’s a little monster. I would love to help them find homes for all the ones in need.
melissa G. says
IKEA ME!
My husband, 2 little boys and I would spend the year in Cambodia!! We’ve had such a heart for the people there for such a long time and would love to have that experience to go work with human traffic organizations and start volunteer projects with the children! Phnom Penh here we’d come!!
Heather Sweigard says
IKEA ME!
Katherine says
IKEA me!
I’d spend a year donating my doula services to teen moms/single moms/army wives who need extra support when bringing their babies into the world!
Monica says
IKEA Me!
BONUS QUESTION: I’d actually start the non-profit organization I have been planning! Its based on supporting cancer patients and their families with more education and resources on “what to do” and “how to communicate with others” once they get diagnosed.
layne says
Ikea Me!
I’d love to set up a program going to the home of underpriviledged young moms and providing them with literacy materials and support to help create a print rich environment for their children!
Rachel says
IKEA me!!
I would love to help . . . hmmmm . . . lately I’ve been thinking about people and wishing and hoping that they are happy. So perhaps I would visit people in the hospital or do service with hospice and bring some happiness into their lives.
(I am new to your “homey” blog! I am loving all of your ideas! Can’t wait to implement some in my home!)
Jen says
IKEA me!
Despite increased access to effective contraception, almost half of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. I would spend a year volunteering for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.