Sanford, FL, May 18, 2005/ - Amscot Financial, a Florida-based tax and retail financial services company, is proud to announce the grand opening of its first Sanford location at 4581 St. Johns Parkway on Saturday, May 21, 2005 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. At the grand opening, Amscot Financial will present a $1,000 contribution to the Sanford “Mother and Baby Center.” This program serves the Sanford community.

From left to right, Yvonne Rodriguez – Branch Manager, Amscot Financial; Monique Williams – Healthy Start Coalition; Florida House Representative Bruce Antone, Darlene McKinney – Healthy Start Coalition; Bill Worling – District Manager, Amscot Financial; Deveron Gibbons – Vice President of Public Affairs, Amscot Financial

The “Mother and Baby Center” in Sanford is a program of the Seminole County Healthy Start Coalition. It serves as a drop-in center to link families with available community resources, especially those families with transportation difficulties. Since 2004, 86 families have received services at the Center in Seminole Gardens Apartments. Amscot Financial’s contribution will help purchase computer equipment for the Children’s Homework Section of the Center.

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.

	Local children enjoy balloon twisting and the antics of the stilt walker.

During the grand opening event, entertainment will be provided for the community by stilt walker and balloon twister Betty Atchison and 102 JAMZ 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 enjoy the music by 102 JAMZ!

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 90 tax preparation offices and 90 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.