For four consecutive years, Amscot has partnered with CFEF on the annual “Just a Dollar” campaign. Each August, Amscot associates ask customers if they would like to contribute a dollar to their local education foundations in the counties where they live. Amscot tracks each contribution and ensures that the money goes directly to the local education foundation in the county where the dollars were raised.

Combined with matching dollars from Amscot, this highly successful, customer-led campaign has raised more than $279,000 in four years.

According to CFEF, education foundations dedicate Amscot contributions toward reading and scholarship programs. For more information about CFEF and Florida education foundations, please visit the CFEF Web site - www.cfef.net

For seven consecutive years, Amscot has partnership with local law enforcement agencies to distribute free bike helmets to children. During that time, we have given away more than 25,000 bike helmets, primarily to children in elementary and middle schools.

Local law enforcement personnel ensure this little one gets the right fitting helmet!

According to law enforcement statistics, more than 100 bicycle-related deaths occur every year in the state of Florida. National records indicate that more than 94 percent of all bicyclists killed are not wearing helmets.

The effectiveness of a bike helmet is highly dependent on how well it fits and how it is worn. That’s why we are very pleased on have law enforcement personnel on hand at each location for every helmet giveaway event to ensure that recipients get a properly sized helmet and instructions on how to wear it.

The Salvation Army provides food and services to needy individuals and families on a year-round basis. Officials note, however, that the summer months are typically the organization’s leanest months in terms of contributions.

Often, summers are particularly difficult for low-income families, whose food budgets are already stretched to the breaking point, when their children aren’t receiving free school lunches. Seniors on fixed incomes and seasonal visitors also struggle during the summer months, swelling the ranks of those who need food, clothing, shelter and counseling year-round.

For three consecutive years, Amscot Financial has provided the Salvation Army Tampa Area Command with a $10,000 matching grant, creating an incentive for others to give during these critical months. For more information about the Salvation Army in Tampa Bay, please visit their Web site.

In partnership with Community Financial Services Association of America, Amscot underwrites financial literacy training in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast (in Pinellas County) and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay
(in Hillsborough County).

The Youth Learn & Save (YLS) program provides the curriculum, instructor training and student workbooks necessary for a six-week course aiming at improving financial literacy among middle-school- and high-school-aged students.

The YLS program is designed to help youth understand the importance of building a strong financial future.
Specific training is the following financial concepts:

• The basics of banking
• How to build and maintain good credit
• How to maintain a checking account
• Money management skills
• How to develop a savings plan
• The basics of investment
• Important facts about borrowing

Upon completion of the YLS program, each student receives a $100 savings bond.

Amscot regularly makes mini-grants of $100 up to $250 to non-profit service organizations who serve the interests of children. The grants go to a variety of organization,
ranging from youth leadership development to dance and artistic instruction to abuse prevention programs.

To apply for an Amscot mini-grant, click here for Amscot’s online application.