Pinellas Park, Fla., October 7, 2005/ - Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, is proud to announce the grand opening of its new Pinellas Park location on Saturday, October 8, 2005 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. At the grand opening, Amscot Financial will present a $1,000 contribution to Help a Child, Inc. of Pinellas County.

From left to right, “Big Mike” Johnson – 95.7 “The Beat” radio station; FL House Representative Leslie Waters – District 51; George Millet – District Manager, Amscot Financial; Gus Velez-Bosch – Branch Manager, Amscot Financial; Greta Kishbaugh – Director of Development, Help A Child, Inc.

The grand opening event will be held at 6585 102nd Avenue North in Pinellas Park. Entertainment will be provided for the community by balloon twisting and face painting clown Caroline Kern. 95.7 “The Beat” radio station will broadcast live from Amscot’s parking lot and give away prizes. Free refreshments will be served courtesy of Hungry Howie’s Pizza.

	Caroline Kern uses her imagination while face painting a local child.

Headquartered in Pinellas Park, Help A Child, Inc. operates six programs that provide assistance to families with special needs children and families who are experiencing child abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. Programs range from prevention techniques to intensive residential care. The organization serves all of Pinellas County and does not charge the community for its programs. Amscot’s donation will help fund the purchase of items for the children and families that are served throughout the community.

Radio station 95.7 “The Beat” draws a crowd with upbeat music.

At the Amscot grand opening, the 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.

	A representative from CPEA performs the important task of fingerprinting a local child.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., 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 101 tax preparation offices and 101 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people.