Local charities competes for IKEA Life Improvement Project |

Two North Carolina charities – one in Charlotte and one in the Triad - have been selected as finalists in IKEA’s Life Improvement Project.

One of those charities will win a $10,000 makeover complete with IKEA Charlotte co-worker assistance, design expertise, and product donations.

Nominated for the prize are Charlotte-based The Relatives, a 9-bed, co-ed emergency shelter for runaway, homeless, and other kids in crisis from ages 7-17 AND Triad-based Victory Junction, which is a camp for children with chronic medical conditions located in Randleman, NC.

As part of its application, The Relatives would receive a total of $10,000 in items such as bedding, bedroom storage, and media organization, along with design expertise, and IKEA Charlotte co-worker volunteer assistance, if it wins.

Victory Junction would receive $10,000 in replenishments of linens, fleece blankets, and storage items for its camping cabins as well as refreshing textiles for living areas, LED bulbs, other furniture and accessories.

Both organizations were nominated by IKEA Charlotte co-workers as entries to the national IKEA Life Improvement Project. Both organizations’ proposals were reviewed on the local and national level to ensure they meet IKEA’s charitable giving guidelines. IKEA, known as the Life Improvement Store, has a charitable giving focus on organizations that help children and organizations that benefit the environment.

Voting starts Monday at www.thelifeimprovementproject.com. Votes will be collected Feb. 18 through March 11; The charity with the most votes will win the prize.

“We are so excited to be working with both of these organizations,” IKEA Charlotte spokesman Brian Gott said. “We have a passion for improving the lives of the people who live in this region and both organizations help improve the lives of kids who live in North Carolina.”

Other charities helped by IKEA Charlotte in the last year include: Mecklenburg County Foster Parent Association, Carolina Refugee Resettlement, Hope Haven Inc., Salvation Army Center of Hope, UNC Charlotte’s Student Health Center, and The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film.

Each of the 38 IKEA stores in the country have nominated projects for the contest. In total, 38 “Life Improvement” projects – from furnishing homeless shelters to renovating children’s play areas – will receive a total of almost $500,000 worth of furnishings, services, design expertise, and manpower from IKEA.

Last year’s winner from IKEA Charlotte was Pitts School Road Elementary School in Concord, NC, which won a $10,000 library/reading area makeover, books, furniture, and design services.