TAMPA, Fla., December 29, 2003/PRNewswire/ - Amscot Financial, one of the Tampa Bay Area's fastest-growing retail financial service companies, recently donated a total of 30 surplus computers to Cops and Computers for the Community, a nonprofit, charitable organization that gives computers to children and adults with special needs.

The surplus equipment, which includes PCs, monitors and various other peripherals that have been thoroughly cleaned and loaded with new software, will eventually be given to children from disadvantaged neighborhoods, single mothers in adult learning classes and elderly citizens that are confined to nursing homes.

"Amscot Financial," explains Executive Vice President Ian A. MacKechnie, "is pleased to help people receive access to the high-tech resources that are vital to life in the 21st century.

"Recent studies show that computer skills will soon be equally as important as literacy," MacKechnie adds.

"I commend Amscot Financial for donating their surplus computers to our organization," explains Sergeant George Veazey, a Hillsborough County Sheriff who will serve as President of CCFTC.

"Their charitable efforts are a wonderful blessing that will provide our beneficiaries with a distinct advantage in both higher education and the workplace," Veazey adds.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial, along with its subsidiary, Amscot Tax Service, is a leading provider of convenient retail financial services for the mainstream consumer. Founded in 1989, the company provides payday advance, check cashing and income tax preparation services through its more than 1,500 Associates working in over 50 locations throughout West Central Florida. For additional information, please visit the company's web site at www.amscotfinancial.com.