The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office hosts a Christmas Caravan each year. Through the Christmas Caravan event, 300 needy children (123 families) were ‘adopted’ for Christmas at the Santa Maria Mission through St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The event is filled with fun-filled activities including a moon walk, face painting and balloon toys. All families are fed a delicious Christmas meal and the children are given stockings filled with goodies, healthy snacks, tooth brushes, toothpaste and dental floss. And, all families are given a gift card to purchase toys for their children for Christmas. Amscot supports the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Christmas Caravan to help spread the joy of the Christmas season to the needy children and families in our local communities.
The Kids and Kops Fishing Tournament was founded in 1984 and is a child safety program located in Pinellas County, Florida. The purpose of the program is to provide a fun environment and a learning experience by local law enforcement where children can learn to take care of themselves and those around them and to become aware of potential danger and avoid harmful situations. At Amscot, we believe that supporting the Kids and Kops Fishing Tournament fosters positive contact between the children, parents and law enforcement officers in our community.
Lowry Park Zoo, most recently ranked the "No. 1 Family Friendly Zoo in the United States" by Child magazine is committed to excellence in education, conservation and research, always listening to the needs and wants of their guests. Their mission is to connect people with the Living Earth. Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to Lowry Park Zoo to help fund a program that brings underprivileged children on daytrips to the zoo.
For 32 years, Metropolitan Ministries has served poor and homeless men, women and children year-round in the Tampa Bay region. We provide critical help and long-term answers to help our clients reach self-sufficiency, and are dependent on the generosity and partnership of our community. The Bridge Builders Annual Luncheon is Metropolitan Ministries annual fundraising event held at the Tampa Convention Center where individuals and organizations sponsor tables to support Metropolitan Ministries. Each year, Amscot Financial sponsors tables at the luncheon in support of this great ministry to reach the poor and homeless in our community.
Amscot Financial recently donated $1,000.00 to the Tampa Bay Area Intelligence Unit. The Intelligence Unit is comprised of various Federal, State, Local and Military law enforcement agencies from the West Central Florida area. Amscot is a member of the group which meets once a month at the Tampa Police Department to discuss various law enforcement issues.
Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Vision Statement: “…to reinforce and expand downtown Tampa’s role as the primary business, government, cultural, entertainment, and activity center of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The focus is the development of a variety of residential neighborhoods throughout downtown Tampa that ease live/work/play relationships, and return people to the streets of downtown Tampa in the evenings. The Vision includes revitalization of downtown Tampa’s waterfront edge as a unique people place, while adding more parks and usable open space to downtown destinations. The vision is to make downtown Tampa truly the place people want to be—to live, work, visit, and enjoy.” Amscot believes in the enrichment of Tampa’s Downtown district and donated bike helmets to the Annual Commuter Choices Week held at Lykes Park in downtown Tampa.
The Tampa Museum of Art provides a broad range of art-related experiences for visitors of all ages. The Museum collection includes twentieth-century and contemporary art and a renowned collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. A changing special exhibitions program provides a lively mix of classical and contemporary shows. Complementing these exhibitions are a wide range of classes, lectures, seminars, and children's activities. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Tampa Museum of Art was established in 1979.
Amscot Financial fully supports the expansion and appreciation of the arts. By pledging substantial funds toward the Tampa Museum of Art’s capital campaign fund for a new building, we will help ensure that the arts are accessible to all ages for years to come.
The Florida Aquarium is a not-for-profit educational and cultural attraction whose mission allows people of all ages and background to engage in experiences that inspire a sense of wonder, understanding and stewardship of our aquatic environments. It serves as a significant example of Florida’s commitment to preserving native landscapes, ecosystems, historical and archaeological sites, and ethnic and cultural traditions representative of the diverse geography and cultural life unique to our state. At Amscot Financial, we believe that impacting the lives of children is an important corporate goal – to give back to the communities in which we serve. Through our support of the Florida Aquarium’s sponsored admission program, 9,000 children were able to participate in hands-on encounters with animals, enjoy lunches with Aquarium education staff and learn about nature first hand through eco-tour trips aboard a catamaran in the Tampa Bay.
Amscot Financial helped The Salvation Army purchase nearly 800 bus passes for their Transitional Housing Program. Clients of the Transitional Housing Program are working hard to become self-sufficient and the funds that Amscot provides for bus passes will be a huge help in their efforts to secure employment. Amscot’s generosity will also help ensure that these women and men have transportation to important appointments with doctors, lawyers and other social service providers in the community. These are important resources that certainly wouldn't have been as accessible without the support of Amscot Financial.
Amscot Financial provided The Salvation Army with school supplies for needy children to support their Back-to-School Supply Campaign. Each year, The Salvation Army of Hillsborough County’s Family Services Department helps meet the emergency needs of more than 2,500 families by assisting them with the payment of rent, utilities, medical prescriptions and other necessary expenses. Many of these clients are sent to The Salvation Army by other social service agencies that are unable to assist them. Most of the families served by Family Services would be considered ‘working poor,’ and their ranks include thousands of school-aged children. Many of these families struggle to pay their monthly bills, and little money is left over for extras such as school supplies for a new school year. By partnering with Amscot Financial, The Salvation Army was able to provide youngsters with some of the tools they need for a successful school year: 200 Writing Pads (lined notepads), 200 Calculators, 400 Highlighters, and 1,000 Pens.
Whether it be a local incident or a major disaster, Salvation Army staff and volunteers are often the first on the scene and the last to depart, honoring a century-old commitment to serve those in need, at the time of need, and at the place of need. The red shield continues to be a beacon of compassion; of immediate aid, psychological support and spiritual counsel to individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted or shattered by forces beyond their control. Salvation Army disaster response teams, coordinated and directed by commissioned officers and trained personnel, supported by volunteers, are "on call" to serve at all disasters and civil disorders which place a community or its populace at risk or which may disrupt or destroy family security and well-being. Amscot Financial donated $5,000 to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was designed specifically to assist Florida residents who suffered the effects of Hurricanes Charley and Frances.
Amscot adopted Clearview Avenue Elementary School in St. Petersburg through Mayor Rick Baker’s “Mayor’s Mentors and More” Program. Since the partnership was forged, Amscot Financial and Clearview Avenue have teamed up on various projects, making a difference in the lives of the parents, teachers and students. Most recently, Clearview Avenue held their first PTA meeting for the 2004-2005 school year on August 24, 2004. Along with providing information for parents about the upcoming school term, the meeting was highlighted with a child bicycle safety theme. A law enforcement representative provided safety brochures and advised parents and students on various bicycle safety issues. Supporting this effort, Amscot Financial donated 150 child bicycle helmets to students in attendance.
This past year, a Business Task Force (BTF) was formed, under the direction of Karen Hegemeier, a concerned community leader, to help Tinker Elementary receive much needed supplies and financial support for education. Karen worked with Cheryl Tyo, the Principal of Tinker Elementary, to determine what items the school needed and they created a wish list. The idea quickly caught the attention of Hillsborough County Commissioner, Ronda Storms, who now sits on the board of the BTF. Ronda recommended to Karen that she contact Amscot Financial to form a business partnership. Amscot reviewed the wish list and committed to supporting Tinker in any way possible. Recently Amscot provided the school with nineteen, 19-inch color TVs with DVD/VCR Combos. The TVs will allow the classrooms to broadcast “The Morning Show”, a closed-circuit TV broadcast that educates and helps the students develop skills such as public speaking and video production.
On April 2, 2005, Belcher Elementary School in Largo, Florida held its 3rd Annual Belcher Bobcat Family Picnic and Bike Rodeo. The annual event is a fun-filled day of food, games, entertainment, prizes and bike safety education for local students. Amscot Financial provided 100 bike helmets for the bike rodeo, sponsored by the Largo Police Department. Bike helmets were required for all students that participated in the obstacle course during the bike rodeo. Amscot’s helmet donation made it possible for each child to have a helmet and learn the importance of bike safety.
The Child Protection Education of America, Inc. (CPEA), a national non-profit organization for missing children based in Tampa, FL participates in every Amscot Grand Opening Event. The CPEA provides 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. The information and services provided by the CPEA to Amscot customers is free.
In March 2005 Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 donation to The Mary Bradley Weeks Educational Project, Inc., to help fund the purchase of school supplies for Sarasota and Manatee County students in need. The Sarasota-based non-profit organization was established in 2002 by Mary Bradley Weeks in memory of her two-year-old great grandson who was killed by an unlicensed hit-and-run driver. Participants in the school supply giveaways become eligible by referral from designated community agencies. The giveaways are held before the fall and winter semesters, each August and January. Since the project was founded, hundreds of students have benefited from this act of love. Throughout the year, the program is supported by donations from local and national corporations, businesses, organizations and individual sponsors.
Senator Siplin and his wife, Victoria, host the Christmas Toy Giveaway each year in the Orlando area. Senator Siplin, known for his concern for the well-being of his constituents in District 19, enjoys meeting the local families that benefit from the giveaway. This year, Amscot Financial donated over 250 bike helmets to the giveaway. Local law enforcement worked to ensure that each child had a helmet that fit properly.
In February 2005, Amscot Financial continued in the bike helmet giveaway tradition by donating over 25 helmets to the Early Exceptional Learning Program at Pizzo Elementary School. The special needs children, ages 3-5 years, were very excited to receive new bike helmets!
As part of our Kids First Program, Amscot partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Congresswoman Katherine Harris to promote bicycle safety by distributing free bike helmets to children in the Sarasota community on September 11, 2004. As part of a heightened awareness on traffic safety, especially among our children, this effort helped ensure that Sarasota’s youngest citizens will be safe while traveling on roadways.
In September 2004, Amscot partnered with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and The Children’s Cancer Center to touch the lives of children and families coping with cancer. Each time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored a touchdown during the 2004 regular season, Amscot donated $500 to The Children’s Cancer Center. Final donation from Amscot to The Children’s Cancer for the season totaled $18,500.00.
Amscot Financial partnered with Financial Service Centers of America (FiSCA) to encourage local voter registration through a program called ‘Your Vote Counts’. Florida-elected officials Senator Les Miller and State Representative Ken Littlefield were in attendance at the launch of ‘Your Vote Counts’ at our East Hillsborough and 22nd Avenue location on Monday, July 19, 2004.
During tax season, it’s not uncommon to have a lot of questions, so this year, Amscot held a tax event to meet with people and explain the benefits of having their taxes professionally prepared and e-filed with our tax offices. The event was hosted at the Mobley Park Welcome Center on January 26, 2005 from 5-6:30pm. One of our tax preparers met with potential customers and explained the benefits of our services, and answered various tax questions.
On October 5, 2004, Amscot joined forces with WQYK-FM and the community to show support for our soldiers serving our country during the holiday season. The “Postcards From Home” event invited WQYK listeners and others to prepare holiday cards for our soldiers. Amscot locations were the designated drop off points for an entire month. Amscot collected hundreds of cards which were shipped to our servicemen and woman serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries around the world.
Amscot Financial’s management and staff raised $11,487.18 during the Salvation Army’s 2004 Red Kettle Bell Ringing Campaign, from November-December 2004. Employees from the corporate office and various Amscot locations throughout the Tampa Bay area agreed to “ring the bell” for two and a half hour shifts during the holiday season at one of two Wal-Mart sites adopted through The Salvation Army. The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest volunteer-based fundraiser for The Salvation Army each year. All the proceeds remain in Hillsborough County to provide assistance for struggling families in the community.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to Angels in Care, a nonprofit organization that cares for children with special needs, including children with disabilities, life threatening illnesses and abused foster children from the Tampa Bay area, including New Port Richey. The contribution will go towards their building project, a unique kids complex on more than 30 acres of land. The building project vision includes a child care center for children with special needs who will receive services such as physical and speech therapy and parent support groups. Angels in Care also assists with providing special back to school supplies, annual summer camp needs and toys for those in need at Christmas. Future additions to the complex include temporary housing for abused foster children, a nondenominational chapel and counseling services.
Amscot Financial presented 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.
Amscot Financial presented a check for $1,000 to Computers for Kids, Inc., a recently formed non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to provide home computers for less fortunate families with school-age children. Founded in April 2004, the organization is solely supported by the community through financial contributions and the donation of used computers. The founder and volunteers with the organization refurbish the donated computers. Families who need a computer complete an application and the child receiving the computer must prove how it will benefit their family and education by writing an essay. To date, twelve computers have been refurbished and donated to those in need.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to the Greater Largo Library Foundation to support their Children's Department. The Foundation was created in 1985 to provide supplemental financial support to the library through community fundraising. It is staffed by volunteers and monetary gifts received from the community provide materials and services that could otherwise not be purchased through regular funding.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to the Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program of Bradenton to purchase food vouchers for the families of underprivileged children in the local community. Throughout the year, local churches, civic groups and social service agencies rely on the program to provide food for those in need. Last year, the Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program provided 25,000 meals, over 35% to children. The program was founded by the former Mayor of Sarasota, Fredd Adkins in 1987.
During the event, Amscot Financial will present a check for $1,000 to Orange County 's Health and Family Services Department, Head Start Division, in support of the Child Uniform Program for Engelwood Elementary School . The Orange County Head Start Program is among the best early childhood development programs in the nation. The Program's vision is to set the standard of excellence in leadership and services necessary to conquer the changes and challenges of a 21st Century generation. Currently the Program serves 1,416 children and families at 30 center-based sites. The goal for Orange County 's Head Start Child Uniform Program is to purchase and provide five sets of uniforms for each participant in the Program. A set of uniforms includes 5 Polo shirts each (for both boys and girls) in addition to 3 pair of shorts and 2 pair of pants for boys and 3 pair of skorts and 2 pair of long shorts for girls. Amscot's donation to the Program will provide a complete uniform set for three girls and three boys.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to Running Soles Youth Track Club, a grassroots after school program for at-risk youth in St. Petersburg and the surrounding Pinellas County region. Its mission is to help develop happy, healthy and confident young athletes and leaders by introducing them to athletic events where they can excel. Last year, athletes competed in the Amateur Athletic Union and the USATF Track and Field Junior Olympics. Running Soles also provides volunteer opportunities for the youth to help their community.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, a grassroots agency serving low-income families who reside in the designated “Enterprise Zone” within the City of Tampa . The agency's programs are designed to help youth who are at-risk of early school dropout. The award will be received by Chief Executive Officer, James M. Evans, former NFL running back for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, servant-leader and Chairman of the Mayor's African American Advisory Council. Evans has served over 100,000 youth and parents through the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope. The donation will go towards providing direct resources for youth and parents in their “Leadership Through Education” Program which promotes rising above adversity, building self esteem, reversing violent trends and strengthening relationships.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to The Hansen Center, a program of the Children's Home Society of Florida. The residential facility provides a safe haven for abused, abandoned or neglected children in Sebring. Currently 20 children live at the center and they are fully cared for by the staff. The children participate in special activities, field trips and receive counseling tailored to their needs.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to Charity Challenge, Inc. which was founded in 1987 by Florida State Senator Lee Constantine. Young adults from throughout Central Florida compete in six challenging, fun-filled, co-ed athletic events, while giving back to the community at the same time. In 2004, there were 96 participating teams and $515,000 was awarded to over 100 Central Florida charities. Charity Challenge and the athletic event have grown into Central Florida 's largest independent charity, raising $5 million over the past 19 years.
Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 contribution to The “Sweet Dreams” Campaign which provides free infant car seats and cribs to families with limited financial means. Since 2003, the Seminole County Healthy Start Coalition has purchased and distributed over 60 items. The goal of the campaign is to reduce the number of accidental infant deaths as a result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and infant deaths due to the lack of adequate car safety restraints.
We supported the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program in Tallahassee by contributing to the Boyd Family Annual Charity Dove Hunt & Dinner. Our generous support helped to augment program services for the agency. With our community support, as well as others, the organization is able to bring more magic to the lives of children in the Big Bend area.
This Clearwater-based non-profit is committed to enriching the lives of children ages 8 to 15 who are at risk due to neglect and abuse by providing a unique summer camp program (designed to build good character, provide interaction and good values) which has a profound effect on their self esteem. Throughout the year they also provide ongoing support in other ways including a newsletter. Amscot Financial provided a gift-in-kind donation for the participants in their 3rd Annual “Sponsor a Child for Camp” Charity Golf Tournament.
The Tampa Bay Alumnae Chapter of the sorority sponsored a component of their youth initiative, the “Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy” 3rd Annual Career Expo, which is designed to encourage at-risk middle school girls, ages 11-14, to pursue higher education and ultimately attain non-traditional careers in math, science and technology. We donated gift-in-kind items to be used by the participants in the program during the session.
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office held their 9th Annual Septemberfest Bicycle Safety Demonstration. All participants in the event were eligible to win a bike at the end, as well as a bike helmet provided by Amscot Financial.
Westshore Alliance recognized the 8th Annual Commuter Choices Week during an event where they gave away child bike helmets to attendees with the help of Amscot Financial.
Tabernacle Christian School held their Annual Wheel-A-Thon, a school-wide bicycling and rollerblading competition for students 3-14 years of age. Amscot Financial donated child bike helmets to be given away as prizes for the winners.
The Angelus House is a home for severely handicapped persons who are not able to care for themselves. All of the residents and students have cerebral palsy and are confined to wheelchairs. Amscot Financial made a contribution to their 15th Annual Country Concert, which raises funds to support the work and services that they provide.
The Children’s Home was founded in 1892 and is the oldest charity on Florida’s west coast. It has assisted more than 20,000 children and placed 6,000 children with loving foster/adoptive families. Amscot Financial supported a special event sponsored by their South Tampa Auxiliary for the Conn Cottage, a house for elementary school age children at The Children’s Home.
The Children’s Museum is an educational and cultural resource dedicated to toddlers to teen’s literacy and cultural diversity. Amscot sponsored tables for their annual gala event, as well as provided resource support to their marketing and public relations committees.
Amscot Financial donated a total of 30 surplus computers to Cops and Computers for the Community, a nonprofit, charitable organization that gives computers to children and adults with special needs. The surplus equipment, which includes PCs, monitors and various other peripherals that have been thoroughly cleaned and loaded with new software, will eventually be given to children from disadvantaged neighborhoods, single mothers in adult learning classes and elderly citizens that are confined to nursing homes.
Amscot Financial contributed $1,000 toward the Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni's Tenth Annual Appreciation Dinner for Law Enforcement, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel. The dinner, which was held at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, was designed to honor the men and women who risk their lives to protect and serve the citizens of Pinellas County.
The Kid Companion Program was established in 1999 by the Retired & Volunteer Program, a sponsored agency of the Council on Aging. The program takes place once weekly, bringing at-risk youth and senior volunteers together for mentoring activities in a safe and caring environment. Paired with senior mentors for one-on-one interaction, the students receive the encouragement they need to develop their social skills and self-esteem while participating in constructive learning activities. Camaraderie is encouraged among the students and mentors through activities such as: arts and crafts, share and care sessions, snack time, guest speakers, volunteer activities, homework assistance and field trips. The children also celebrate their accomplishments with their parents and mentors at an end-of-term Recognition Banquet. Amscot’s contribution went toward the purchase of art supplies for the program.
The “Mother and Baby Center” in Sanford, FL 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 with transportation difficulties. Since 2004, 86 families have received services at the Center in Seminole Gardens Apartments. Amscot Financial presented a $1,000 donation to the Mother and Baby Center which helped them purchase computer equipment for the Children’s Homework Section of the Center.
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