Auburndale, FL, February 17, 2005/ - Amscot Financial, a Florida-based tax and retail financial services company, is proud to announce the Grand Opening of its first Auburndale location at 2120 W Hwy 92 on Saturday, February 19, 2005 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

From left to right, Richard Holland with Amscot Financial, Marvin Wiley, the Mayor of Auburndale, and Plasheda Jones with the Central Florida Healthcare Marketing Department.

At the grand opening, Amscot Financial will present a $1,000 contribution to Central Florida Health Care, Inc., a partnership of people, governments and communities working together to meet the local healthcare needs of Polk, Highlands, and Hardee County residents. Founded in 1973, Central Florida Health Care is one of 27 community health centers located in the state of Florida . They provide primary and specialty care at five centers throughout the three county radius, with the Frostproof and Dundee Centers serving the Auburndale community. The contribution will support “Closing the Gap”, a childhood and adult immunization awareness campaign. This program is primarily funded through the Florida Department of Health.

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.

.	Radio Station 93.3 and a stilt walker provide entertainment at the Auburndale Grand Opening.

During the grand opening event, entertainment will be provided for the community by a stilt walker, Betty Atchison, and radio station 93.3 will be broadcasting live from Amscot's parking lot and giving away prizes. Free refreshments will be served courtesy of Hungry Howie's Pizza.

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 81 tax preparation offices and 81 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.