Largo, FL., September 23, 2004/PR Newswire/ - Amscot Financial, a Florida-based tax and retail financial services company, is proud to announce the Grand Opening of its new Largo location at 11156 Starkey Road on Saturday, September 25, 2004 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Entertainment for the event will be provided by clown and balloon twister Lorraine Francis-Sword and radio station 95.7 “The Beat” will be broadcasting live from Amscot's parking lot and giving away prizes. Free refreshments will be served courtesy of Hungry Howie's Pizza.

During the event, Amscot Financial will present 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.

Also participating in the grand opening event is Child Protection Education of America, Inc. (CPEA), a national nonprofit organization for missing children based in Tampa , FL. The CPEA will be available on-site to provide fingerprinting for children through their “ID ME NOW” program, which produces a state-of-the-art, specially designed card for parents to keep. The card contains a set of the child's digital fingerprints, a black and white photo of the child, a dental chart, and instructions on how to do a simple DNA collection. Safety brochures are provided with the fingerprint card, as well as an envelope containing further information on how to complete their child safety kit. This information can assist parents and law enforcement officers involved with a missing child case. An interactive child safety CD-ROM can also be purchased for $5.00 at the event.

Headquartered in Tampa , FL., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, check cashing services, cash advance services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company. Amscot Financial currently operates 75 tax preparation offices and 75 retail financial service centers throughout Florida , employing more than 1,500 people. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.amscotfinancial.com.