Altamonte Springs, FL., April 6, 2005/ - Amscot Financial, a Florida-based tax and retail financial services company, is proud to announce the Grand Opening of its first Altamonte Springs location at 821 S SR 434, Suite 102 on Saturday, April 9, 2005 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. At the grand opening, Amscot Financial will present a $1,000 contribution to the Seminole County Healthy Start Coalition's “Sweet Dreams” Campaign and Charity Challenge, Inc. Both programs serve the Altamonte Springs community.

Healthy Start Donation – from left to right, Deveron Gibbons, Vice-President of Public Affairs, Amscot Financial; Marnie Shanbhag, Executive Director, Seminole County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.; Mike Hiltz, Branch Manager, Amscot Financial; Amanda Mishler, Community Liaison, Seminole County Healthy Start Coalition; Bill Worling, District Manager, Amscot Financial

The “Sweet Dreams” Campaign provides free infant car seats and cribs to families with limited financial means. Since 2003, the Seminole County Healthy Start Coalition has purchased and distributed over 60 items. The goal of the campaign is to reduce the number of accidental infant deaths as a result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and infant deaths due to the lack of adequate car safety restraints.

Charity Challenge Donation – from left to right, Deveron Gibbons, Vice-President of Public Affairs, Amscot Financial; Mike Hiltz, Branch Manager, Amscot Financial; Florida Senator Lee Constantine, District 22; Kimberly Gibson, Event Coordinator, Charity Challenge; Bill Worling, District Manager, Amscot Financial

Charity Challenge, Inc. was founded in 1987 by Florida State Senator Lee Constantine. Young adults from throughout Central Florida compete in six challenging, fun-filled, co-ed athletic events, while giving back to the community at the same time. In 2004, there were 96 participating teams and $515,000 was awarded to over 100 Central Florida charities. Charity Challenge and the athletic event have grown into Central Florida 's largest independent charity, raising $5 million over the past 19 years.

A representative of the Child Protection Education of America, Inc. (CPEA) speaks with local residents about the importance of fingerprinting their children.

Child Protection Education of America, Inc. (CPEA), a national nonprofit organization for missing children based in Tampa will also be available on-site to provide free 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 with profits going to the CPEA for creating the CD-ROM.


During the grand opening event, entertainment will be provided for the community by strolling magician, Greg Suarez, and 100.3 radio station will be broadcasting live from Amscot's parking lot and giving away prizes. Free refreshments will be served courtesy of Hungry Howie's Pizza.

Local residents check out magician Greg Suarez in Amscot’s lobby.

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 89 tax preparation offices and 89 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.amscotfinancial.com.

Radio station 100.3 broadcast live from Amscot’s parking lot.