Kissimmee , Fla., September 22, 2005/ - Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, is proud to announce the grand opening of its new Kissimmee location on Saturday, September 24, 2005 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the grand opening, Amscot Financial will present a $1,000 contribution to Help Now of Osceola, Inc. Domestic Violence Shelter.

	From left to right, Bill Worling - Senior District Manager, Amscot Financial; Jeannette Rivera – Children’s Counselor, Help Now of Osceola; Erika Harris – Director of Community Relations, Amscot Financial; and FL House Representative John Qinones, District 49

The grand opening event will be held at 1229 E Vine Street in Kissimmee. Entertainment will be provided for the community by balloon twisting and face painting clown Caroline Kern. WXXL 106.7 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.

Help Now of Osceola, Inc. provides safe shelter and counseling for victims of domestic violence – both adults and children. The program also provides public awareness programs to promote violence-free living. Services provided by Help Now include assistance with filing victim’s compensation claims, domestic violence information and referrals, personal advocacy, crisis counseling, criminal justice support/advocacy, therapy, group treatment, crisis hot-line, shelter/safe house, and community education. Amscot’s donation will support the children’s programs.

Caroline Kern paints the face of a local child.

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.

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 99 tax preparation offices and 99 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.