IKEA, The Life Improvement Store, has five finalists in the running to win a year-long sabbatical (valued at $100,000) in its Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest. Public voting ends today (click here) and the winner will be announced by January 17, with IKEA will donating $1.00 for every vote received (up to $50,000) to U.S.-based education programs.
“IKEA believes in creating a better everyday life for the many people and we continue to be inspired by people’s heartfelt desire to improve the lives of others,” says Leontyne Green, Marketing Manager, IKEA North America. “This year’s more than 1,000 Life Improvement Sabbatical contest submissions included thoughtful and passionate ideas and we can’t wait to see who the public chooses as the winner.”
The five finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Cheryle Clarke (Longmont, CO) PROJECT: New Safehouse Completion
Alternatives to Family Violence is a domestic violence service center provider for Adams County, CO (located near Denver). Each year, more than 400 women and children find emergency refuge at the program’s Safehouse. With the Grand Prize, Cheryle would contribute to acquiring and furnishing a new Safehouse facility, expanding the number of beds and growing their program to help more victims.
Lisa Dunster (Missoula, MT) PROJECT: Rebuilding Military Family… Strengthening A Nation
The Compass Retreat Center is an organization that provides a supportive setting for military service members and their families following return from deployment, with an emphasis on renewing relationships and strengthening bonds. With the Grand Prize Winnings, Lisa would increase the program’s outreach to more family from across the country.
Nan Jenkins (Stockbridge, GA) PROJECT: Changing the Life of a Child
Located on the outskirts of Atlanta, GA, A Friend’s House has been providing and operating a facility for the community’s children in need for over 13 years. With the winnings, Nan would help update the facility to further help address the needs of these children.
Melissa Matthews (Wake Forest, NC) PROJECT: Special Technology for Special Kids!
The mother of a child with Down syndrome, Melissa Matthews would like to expand the work being done at the Frankie Lemon School in Raleigh, NC, a school for children with intellectual disabilities. If selected as winner, Melissa would infuse more technology deeper into these classrooms and create a website to facilitate the sharing of these technologies and techniques with other teachers across the country.
Scott Millard (Landing, NJ) PROJECT: Connor’s House
Deeply affected by the loss of his son, Scott co-founded Connor’s House in his memory as a resource center to assist families with chronically ill children, providing short-break respite, family support and end-of-life care. As the winner, Scott would expand support services further building the foundation to help more families through Connor’s House.
They're all important and worthy causes — cast your vote for the one you'd like to see win Ikea's grand prize.
| Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us | FAQ 
