Amscot Financial Contributes Mini-grants To 15 Non-profit Service Organizations

Tampa, FL – (March 7, 2011) –Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, has made mini-grants of $100 to $500 to 15 non-profit service organizations in its 15-county service area. The grants went to:

• Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida, Winter Park.  As a chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation, this organization works to improve the lives of people with bleeding disorders by offering programs and assistance to improve their quality of life and become more independent. It is organizing a “Spring Walk for Bleeding Disorders” in Tampa on May 14.  For more information, visit www.hemophilia.org.

• Egypt Shrine, A.A.O.N.M.S., Tampa.  This local chapter of the Shriners organization has been in existence since the early 1900s. It annually raises funds to provide free tickets to the Shrine Circus.  It holds a variety of community outreach events.  For more information, visit www.egyptshrine.org. 

• Ebony Scholars Academic Club, St. Petersburg.  Since 1990, this non-profit organization has been dedicated to fostering a better educational environment in Pinellas County schools.  It is committed to educating students to assume leadership roles and serve as global citizens.

• American Diabetes Association, Tampa.  This local chapter of the national organization is dedicated to the prevention and cure of diabetes. Diabetes Alert Day is March 22, 2011 and is aimed at educating people who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes.  To find out more, visit www.diabetes.org.

• NAACP, Lakeland Branch, Lakeland.  This organization's mission is to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons, and to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination.  It held its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Feb. 12, 2011. To learn more about this organization, visit www.naacp.org.  

• National Council of Negro Women, St. Petersburg.  This local non-profit organization is dedicated to leading, developing and advocating for women of African descent. It held its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Leadership Awards breakfast on Jan. 25, 2011. For more information, visit www.ncnw.org.

• Lake County Library System, Tavares.  This organization is a cooperative library system that provides free library services to all residents of Lake County, Florida. It will hold its 8th annual Festival of Reading event for school-aged children April 6-9, 2011. For more information, visit www.mylakelibrary.org.

• The Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa.  This independent nonprofit organization was recognized by Parents Magazine as the No. 1 zoo in the United States in 2009. The zoo offers two programs for disadvantaged youth: the Zoo Crew Explorers Program and ECCO (Education, Conservation and Community Opportunities).  For more information, visit www.lowryparkzoo.com. 

• March of Dimes, Tampa. The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The group carries out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives.  For more information, visit the website at www.marchofdimes.com.

• New Directions Community Outreach, Altamonte Springs. Founded in 2004 by Debra Thomas, this non-profit organization began as a feeding program for homeless youth in Seminole County. It now provides not only food, but housing assistance, clothing, education, recreation and other programs to those in need.

• New Found Family, Pinellas Park.  The primary purpose of this organization is to offer young people strategic life principles that promote healthy relationships, provide positive solutions and prevent unhealthy behaviors in youth.

• Operation Enduring Gratitude, Tampa.  Operation Enduring Gratitude was created by a group of citizens who realize the sacrifices our veterans have made and want to express their thanks. Operation Enduring Gratitude seeks to approach the Florida Legislature with a plan to recognize military veterans on their drivers’ license. For more information visit the website at http://op-ed.org.

• YMCA Hernando Family Branch, Springhill.This organization opened its doors in 1989. The YMCA of the Suncoast’s Hernando County branch has undergone a facility expansion to serve the growing needs of the community. Plans are complete for an 8,000 square-foot wellness center, double in size from its original design. For more information: www.suncoastymca.org/locations/hernando-county-branch.

• Prevent Blindness Florida, Tampa.  Prevent Blindness Florida is an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America.  It is a non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy vision care through advocacy, education, screening and research.  To learn more about this organization, visit www.preventblindnessflorida.org.

• East Pasco YMCA, Zephyrhills.  This local chapter of the YMCA is dedicated to serving their community. Guided by core values of faith, caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, the East Pasco YMCA provides numerous programs and summer camps for young children and their families.  Each year, it provides more than $250,000 in scholarships to families who otherwise could not afford to participate in YMCA programs. More information can be found at www.tampaymca.org.

About Amscot Financial
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, prepaid debit cards, check cashing services, cash advance services, bill payment services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company.  Amscot also offers the Amscot Card, a pre-paid debit card that allows owners to make purchases from any location that accepts MasterCard™. Amscot Financial currently operates 174 tax preparation offices and 174 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 2,000 people. Amscot Financial has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay’s Best Places to Work for four consecutive years. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.amscot.com.