Sarasota, Fla., July 6, 2006/ - Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, invites all to come out and have fun “the Amscot way” at its open house on Saturday, July 8, 2006 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1155 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.  Amscot Financial will present a $1,000 contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Sarasota / Tampa Bay, Inc.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength
and joy. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sarasota/Tampa Bay, Inc. serves the children of Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties.  A child can be referred by one of the following sources: a medical professional treating the child, the child’s parents, legal guardians or even children themselves.  The organization relies on the community not only for wish referrals, but also for support. 

Ada Rodriguez, Sarasota Tax District leader, left, District Leader Darlene Echevarria and Manuel Echegaray, Branch Leader of Branch No. 142 in Sarasota

During the Amscot open house event, entertainment will be provided for the community by stilt-walking juggler and balloon twister Martin Smith.  Radio station WYUU-FM 92.5 “La Nueva” will broadcast live from Amscot’s parking lot and give away prizes.  Free refreshments will also be provided.

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.

The program 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, 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 the child safety kit. 

Representatives from the neighboring Hispanic food store were on hand to serve refreshments at the July 8 Fun Day

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 at the event with profits going to the CPEA for creating the CD-ROM. 

	Having fun at the Amscot ‘Fun Day!’

Employment Open House
Amscot is growing rapidly, and is seeking talented, ambitious individuals to join our team. Anyone interested in employment with Amscot should bring along their resume.  An Amscot recruiter will be on hand to talk about the many exciting career opportunities with Amscot.

About Amscot Financial
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 127 tax preparation offices and 127 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people.  For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.amscotfinancial.com