Forty three American charities will receive Ikea makeover and product donations as a result of winning this year’s Ikea Life Improvement Challenge.

Another 77 charities, who were first and second runner ups, will win an Ikea product donation.

Each year, Ikea receives proposals from Ikea co-workers as candidates for the campaign, which is designed so that Ikea can serve as a “good neighbor” on the local level, the retailer said. An Ikea steering committee at each store selects up to three organizations for co-workers and customers to vote online. This year’s voting period was March 27- April 10. The charitable organization from each store market with the highest number of online votes is named the winner, and the second and third place winners receive an Ikea product donation.

Among the makeover winners this year is the Illumination Foundation in Costa Mesa, Calif. Illumination Foundation’s mission is to provide targeted, interdisciplinary services for the most vulnerable homeless clients to break or prevent the cycle of homelessness. The makeover would redesign the Stanton Children’s Recourse Center to ensure that the children are grouped according to their skill level in order to receive assistance tailored to their specific needs.

Another makeover winner this year is Warriors for Autism Inc. in Tampa, Fla. Warriors for Autism’s mission is to assist the lives of families on the autism spectrum by offering inclusive programs and services that fit the needs of the community. The makeover would furnish the new facility opening in spring of 2016, which will be an adaptive fitness and sensory center for children and young adults on the autism spectrum.

Ikea U.S. started the Ikea Life Improvement Challenge in 2011 and since then more than 200 local charities have received more than $1 million in Ikea products, design expertise and manpower.

(Source: hfndigital.com  Author: Allison Zisko)