OLDSMAR, Fla., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- 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, August 19, 2006 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 3730 Tampa Road in Oldsmar. Amscot Financial will present a $1,000 contribution to The Shepherd Center of Tarpon Springs.

Bill Vasiliou, Executive Director of the Center, left; Branch Leader John Morgan; District Leader Paul Glynn; Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Ian A. MacKechnie, executive vice president of Amscot Financial.

The Shepherd Center is a, community-based charity corporation, serving children and families in need throughout the Suncoast. Their programs include a soup kitchen, pantry, counseling services, work-study opportunities and they provide children's supplies and free clothing. They are supported through private donations and community grants. Amscot Financial's contribution will go towards providing children's services.

During the Amscot open house event, entertainment will be provided for the community by stilt-walking juggler and balloon twister Calvin Roe. Radio station WFLZ-FM 93.3 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. 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.

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 130 tax preparation offices and 130 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. In March 2006, Amscot Financial was recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay's Best Places to Work. In June 2006, founder Ian MacKechnie was recognized by Gulf Coast Business Review as its 2006 Entrepreneur Winner. For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.amscotfinancial.com