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| Congresswoman Harris - Sarasota Bike Helmet Giveaway |
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Congresswoman Katherine Harris explains bike helmet safety to local children. |
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As part of our Kids First Program, Amscot partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Congresswoman Katherine Harris to promote bicycle safety by distributing free bike helmets to children in the Sarasota community on September 11, 2004. As part of a heightened awareness on traffic safety, especially among our children, this effort helped ensure that Sarasota’s youngest citizens will be safe while traveling on roadways.
Press Release - September 11, 2004 |
| Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Charities - Christmas Caravan |
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office hosts a Christmas Caravan each year. Through the Christmas Caravan event, 300 needy children (123 families) were ‘adopted’ for Christmas at the Santa Maria Mission through St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The event is filled with fun-filled activities including a moon walk, face painting and balloon toys. All families are fed a delicious Christmas meal and the children are given stockings filled with goodies, healthy snacks, tooth brushes, toothpaste and dental floss. And, all families are given a gift card to purchase toys for their children for Christmas.
Amscot supports the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Christmas Caravan to help spread the joy of the Christmas season to the needy children and families in our local communities. |
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Santa arrives at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Christmas Caravan |
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Kids and Kops Fishing Tournament -
a Program of Missing Children Awareness Foundation |
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Local child gets a chance to fish and learn about safety.
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The Kids and Kops Fishing Tournament was founded in 1984 and is a child safety program located in Pinellas County, Florida. The purpose of the program is to provide a fun environment and a learning experience by local law enforcement where children can learn to take care of themselves and those around them and to become aware of potential danger and avoid harmful situations.
At Amscot, we believe that supporting the Kids and Kops Fishing Tournament fosters positive contact between the children, parents and law enforcement officers in our community. |
| Tampa Downtown Partnership |
Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Vision Statement: “…to reinforce and expand downtown Tampa’s role as the primary business, government, cultural, entertainment, and activity center of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The focus is the development of a variety of residential neighborhoods throughout downtown Tampa that ease live/work/play relationships, and return people to the streets of downtown Tampa in the evenings. The Vision includes revitalization of downtown Tampa’s waterfront edge as a unique people place, while adding more parks and usable open space to downtown destinations. The vision is to make downtown Tampa truly the place people want to be—to live, work, visit, and enjoy.”
Amscot believes in the enrichment of Tampa’s Downtown district and donated bike helmets to the Annual Commuter Choices Week held at Lykes Park in downtown Tampa.
For more information on the Tampa Downtown Partnership, visit their website at: www.tampasdowntown.com. |
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Senator Victor Crist -
USF Area Civic Association
Amscot also supports the annual “Back-to-School Health Fair” hosted by the University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. The health fair serves more than 2,500 children and their families by providing physical exams, vaccinations, backpacks and school supplies in the at-risk University Area Community.
Pinellas County Law Enforcement
Amscot Financial contributed $1,000 toward the Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni's Tenth Annual Appreciation Dinner for Law Enforcement, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel. The dinner, which was held at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, was designed to honor the men and women who risk their lives to protect and serve the citizens of Pinellas County. Press Release - February 4, 2004 |
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Financial Service Centers of Florida disAdvantaged Youth
Scholarship Program Fund |
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The Financial Service Centers of Florida's disAdvantaged Scholarship Grant has been established to support disadvantaged academically talented freshmen entering college as full-time, degree-seeking students, has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarship money since its inception. Students interested in applying for the scholarship must be Florida residents who will graduate from a Florida high school with a minimum 2.5 grade point average and are - or will be - admitted to the Florida college or university of their choice.
At Amscot Financial, we firmly believe that corporate responsibility combined with collective action is the key to creating lasting community change. That's why we are a proud sponsor of the Financial Service Centers of Florida's disAdvantaged Scholarship. Our goal is to support the pursuit of academic excellence, and offer a chance for hundreds of exceptional students with considerable financial need to attain their fullest potential. Press Release - March 15, 2004 |
| FiSCA Scholarship Fund |
The FiSCA National Scholarship Program is available to benefit deserving college-bound high school seniors from families in areas served by its members. The FiSCA National Scholarship Program awards cash grants of at least $2,000 to two students selected from each of five geographic regions across the nation.
Criteria are based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership skills in school and the community, and an essay written expressly for the competition.
At Amscot Financial, we firmly believe that corporate responsibility combined with collective action is the key to creating lasting community change. That's why we are a proud sponsor of the FiSCA Scholarship Program. Our goal is to support the pursuit of academic excellence, and offer a chance for hundreds of exceptional students with considerable financial need to attain their fullest potential.
For more information on the FiSCA Scholarship Fund, visit their website at www.fisca.org/scholar.htm. |
| Mayor Rick Baker’s Mentors and More Program – Clearview Avenue Elementary School |
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Local child gets fitted with a free bike
helmet
from Amscot. |
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Amscot adopted Clearview Avenue Elementary School in St. Petersburg through Mayor Rick Baker’s “Mayor’s Mentors and More” Program. Since the partnership was forged, Amscot Financial and Clearview Avenue have teamed up on various projects, making a difference in the lives of the parents, teachers and students. Most recently, Clearview Avenue held their first PTA meeting for the 2004-2005 school year on August 24, 2004. Along with providing information for parents about the upcoming school term, the meeting was highlighted with a child bicycle safety theme. A law enforcement representative provided safety brochures and advised parents and students on various bicycle safety issues. Supporting this effort, Amscot Financial donated 150 child bicycle helmets to students in attendance. |
| Tinker Elementary School – MacDill AFB |
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In 2004, a Business Task Force (BTF) was formed, under the direction of Karen Hegemeier, a concerned community leader, to help Tinker Elementary receive much needed supplies and financial support for education. Karen worked with Cheryl Tyo, the Principal of Tinker Elementary, to determine what items the school needed and they created a wish list. The idea quickly caught the attention of Hillsborough County Commissioner, Ronda Storms, who now sits on the board of the BTF. Ronda recommended to Karen that she contact Amscot Financial to form a business partnership. Amscot reviewed the wish list and committed to supporting Tinker in any way possible. Amscot provided the school with nineteen, 19-inch color TVs with DVD/VCR Combos. The TVs will allow the classrooms to broadcast “The Morning Show”, a closed-circuit TV broadcast that educates and helps the students develop skills such as public speaking and video production. |
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Children at Tinker Elementary School help unload
the TVs donated by Amscot. |
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| Salvation Army Bell Ringing Campaign 2004 |
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La Tasha Lucas, Recruiting- Amscot Financial and her son Emir |
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Amscot Financial’s management and staff raised $11,487.18 during the Salvation Army’s 2004 Red Kettle Bell Ringing Campaign, from November-December 2004. Employees from the corporate office and various Amscot locations throughout the Tampa Bay area agreed to “ring the bell” for two and a half hour shifts during the holiday season at one of two Wal-Mart sites adopted through The Salvation Army. The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest volunteer-based fundraiser for The Salvation Army each year. All the proceeds remain in Hillsborough County to provide assistance for struggling families in the community. Press Release - January 17, 2005 |
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Chris Hoffman, Real Estate Attorney -
Amscot Financial |
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| Postcards from Home Promotion with WQYK Radio |
On October 5, 2004, Amscot joined forces with WQYK-FM and the community to show support for our soldiers serving our country during the holiday season. The “Postcards From Home” event invited WQYK listeners and others to prepare holiday cards for our soldiers. Amscot locations were the designated drop off points for an entire month. Amscot collected hundreds of cards which were shipped to our servicemen and woman serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries around the world.
Press Releases - October 5, 2004 & November 22, 2004
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Thousands of letters and cards collected for our troops through the Postcards from Home promotional event. |
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Ian MacKechnie, President and CEO of Amscot Financial speaks out on WQYK-FM to promote the Postcards from Home event. |
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| Tampa Bay Area Law Enforcement Child Bike Helmet Giveaway |
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Local law enforcement personnel ensure this little one gets the right fitting helmet! |
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Each year, Amscot Financial partners with Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies to promote a heightened awareness on traffic safety, especially among our children. Amscot Financial's “Kids First” Program provides the bicycle helmets, with a total retail value of $150,000, at designated Amscot locations, while local law enforcement personnel help find the appropriate size for each of the youngsters and explain the importance of wearing the helmets every time they ride their bikes.
Press Release - October 15, 2004 |
| FiSCA Voter Registration Program |
Amscot Financial partnered with Financial Service Centers of America (FiSCA) to encourage local voter registration through a program called ‘Your Vote Counts’. Florida-elected officials Senator Les Miller and State Representative Ken Littlefield were in attendance at the launch of ‘Your Vote Counts’ at Amscot’s East Hillsborough and 22nd Avenue location on Monday, July 19, 2004. Participation at Amscot locations was high – over 350 voters registered to vote through the program.
Press Release - July 28, 2004 |
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From left to right, Al Broughton – Branch Manager, Amscot Financial; Ian MacKechnie – President and CEO of Amscot Financial; Florida Senator Les Miller; Erika Harris – Director of Community Relations, Amscot Financial; Florida State Representative
Ken Littlefield |
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| The Hansen Center – Children’s Home Society of Florida, Sebring, FL |
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Sam Spires, Branch Manager, Amscot Financial and Trifornia Rudolph, Residential Supervisor for
The Hansen Center |
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Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to The Hansen Center, a program of the Children's Home Society of Florida. The residential facility provides a safe haven for abused, abandoned or neglected children in Sebring. Currently 20 children live at the center and they are fully cared for by the staff. The children participate in special activities, field trips and receive counseling tailored to their needs.
Press Release - December 2, 2004 |
| Orange County Head Start Uniform Program, Orlando, FL |
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 donation to Orange County's Health and Family Services Department, Head Start Division, in support of the Child Uniform Program for Engelwood Elementary School. The Orange County Head Start Program is among the best early childhood development programs in the nation. The Program's vision is to set the standard of excellence in leadership and services necessary to conquer the changes and challenges of a 21st Century generation. Currently the Program serves 1,416 children and families at 30 center-based sites. The goal for Orange County 's Head Start Child Uniform Program is to purchase and provide five sets of uniforms for each participant in the Program. A set of uniforms includes 5 Polo shirts each (for both boys and girls) in addition to 3 pair of shorts and 2 pair of pants for boys and 3 pair of skorts and 2 pair of long shorts for girls. Amscot's donation to the Program will provide a complete uniform set for three girls and three boys.
Press Release - October 28,2004 |
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Members of Orange County Headstart Program and Bill Worling – District Manager, Amscot Financial |
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| Angels in Care, New Port Richey, FL |
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Christine and Julie Lacey, recipients of services from Angels in Care and Curtis Evans – Branch Manager
with Amscot Financial.
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Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to Angels in Care, a nonprofit organization that cares for children with special needs, including children with disabilities, life threatening illnesses and abused foster children from the Tampa Bay area, including New Port Richey. The contribution will go towards their building project, a unique kid’s complex on more than 30 acres of land. The building project vision includes a child care center for children with special needs who will receive services such as physical and speech therapy and parent support groups. Angels in Care also assists with providing special back to school supplies, annual summer camp needs and toys for those in need at Christmas. Future additions to the complex include temporary housing for abused foster children, a nondenominational chapel and
counseling services.
Press Release - October 14,2004 |
| Greater Largo Library Foundation, Largo, FL |
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to the Greater Largo Library Foundation to support their Children's Department. The Foundation was created in 1985 to provide supplemental financial support to the library through community fundraising. It is staffed by volunteers and monetary gifts received from the community provide materials and services that could otherwise not be purchased through regular funding.
Press Release - September 23, 2004 |
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From left to right, Erika Harris – Director of Community Relations, Amscot Financial and member of the Greater Largo Library Foundation.
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| Computers for Kids, Inc., Winter Haven, FL |
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Members of Computers for Kids, Inc. and Richard Holland – Vice President of Compliance and Security, Amscot Financial |
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Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to Computers for Kids, Inc., a recently formed non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to provide home computers for less fortunate families with school-age children. Founded in April 2004, the organization is solely supported by the community through financial contributions and the donation of used computers. The founder and volunteers with the organization refurbish the donated computers. Families who need a computer complete an application and the child receiving the computer must prove how it will benefit their family and education by writing an essay. To date, twelve computers have been refurbished and donated to those in need.
Press Release - September 16,2004 |
| Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program, Bradenton, FL |
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to the Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program of Bradenton to purchase food vouchers for the families of underprivileged children in the local community. Throughout the year, local churches, civic groups and social service agencies rely on the program to provide food for those in need. Last year, the Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program provided 25,000 meals, over 35% to children. The program was founded by the former Mayor of Sarasota, Fredd Adkins in 1987.
Press Release - July 14,2004 |
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Members of the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program and Richard Holland – Vice President of Compliance and Security, Amscot Financial
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| Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, FL |
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From left to right, Ian A. MacKechnie – Executive Vice President, Amscot Financial and Lowry Park Zoo representative. |
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Lowry Park Zoo, most recently ranked the "No. 1 Family Friendly Zoo in the United States" by Child magazine is committed to excellence in education, conservation and research, always listening to the needs and wants of their guests. Their mission is to connect people with the Living Earth. Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to Lowry Park Zoo to help fund a program that brings underprivileged children on daytrips to
the zoo. Press Release - June 15,2004 |
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| Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund |
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Whether it be a local incident or a major disaster, Salvation Army staff and volunteers are often the first on the scene and the last to depart, honoring a century-old commitment to serve those in need, at the time of need, and at the place of need. The red shield continues to be a beacon of compassion; of immediate aid, psychological support and spiritual counsel to individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted or shattered by forces beyond their control. Salvation Army disaster response teams, coordinated and directed by commissioned officers and trained personnel, supported by volunteers, are "on call" to serve at all disasters and civil disorders which place a community or its populace at risk or which may disrupt or destroy family security
and well-being.
Amscot Financial donated $5,000 to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was designed specifically to assist Florida residents who suffered the effects of Hurricanes Charley and Frances.
Press Release - August 23, 2004
For more information on The Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund, visit their website at www.redshield.org/crisis. |
| Salvation Army - Back-to-School Supply Campaign |
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Amscot Financial provided The Salvation Army with school supplies for needy children to support their Back-to-School Supply Campaign. Each year, The Salvation Army of Hillsborough County’s Family Services Department helps meet the emergency needs of more than 2,500 families by assisting them with the payment of rent, utilities, medical prescriptions and other necessary expenses. Many of these clients are sent to The Salvation Army by other social service agencies that are unable to assist them. Most of the families served by Family Services would be considered ‘working poor,’ and their ranks include thousands of school-aged children. Many of these families struggle to pay their monthly bills, and little money is left over for extras such as school supplies for a new school year. By partnering with Amscot Financial, The Salvation Army was able to provide youngsters with some of the tools they need for a successful school year: 200 Writing Pads (lined notepads), 200 Calculators, 400 Highlighters, and 1,000 Pens.
For more information on The Salvation Army, visit their website
at www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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| Salvation Army - Bus Passes |
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Amscot Financial helped The Salvation Army purchase nearly 800 bus passes for their Transitional Housing Program. Clients of the Transitional Housing Program are working hard to become self-sufficient and the funds that Amscot provides for bus passes will be a huge help in their efforts to secure employment. Amscot’s generosity will also help ensure that these women and men have transportation to important appointments with doctors, lawyers and other social service providers in the community. These are important resources that certainly wouldn't have been as accessible without the support of Amscot Financial. |
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