Wauchula , Fla. , August 25, 2005/ - Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, is proud to announce the grand opening of its Wauchula location on Saturday, August 27, 2005 from 12 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the grand opening, Amscot Financial will present two $1,000 contributions to local organizations that provide aid to children and families in the Wauchula area. Both recipients will be on site at the grand opening - Infants & Young Children of West Central Florida, Inc. and the Hardee Help Center.

From left to right, Becky Abdelmuti – District Manager, Amscot Financial; Liliam Hill – Infants & Young Children Administrator; Pat Grosz – Executive Director, Infants & Young Children of WCF; Deveron Gibbons – Vice President of Public Affairs, Amscot Financial

The grand opening event will be held at 1530 US Highway 17 North. Entertainment will be provided for the community by balloon twisting clown Caroline Kern. La Zeta 105.3 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.

Infants & Young Children of West Central Florida, Inc. is known in the community as IYC. The mission of IYC is to provide quality developmental services and family support for infants and young children with developmental disabilities and delays. IYC operates the provider network of therapeutic and early intervention services and maintains the equipment lending library for this very special population. Family Resource Specialists provide family education, support groups and linkages for young families entering the early
intervention system.

	From left to right, Becky Abdelmuti – District Manager, Amscot Financial; Reverend Jeff Ramsland – Executive Director, Hardee Help Center; Deveron Gibbons – Vice President of Public Affairs, Amscot Financial

The Hardee Help Center is dedicated to working together with the community and local churches to assist families and children in Hardee County who are experiencing hardship. The Help Center offers emergency food, clothing, household items, economic assistance, and resource counseling.

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 young Wauchula resident enjoys pizza, balloons and music at Amscot!

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 96 tax preparation offices and 96 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.