Amscot Financial Contributes Mini-grants To 17 Non-profit Service Organizations

Tampa, FL – (November 11, 2010) –Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, has made mini-grants of $100 to $250 to 17 non-profit service organizations in its 15-county service area. The grants went to:

• Clothes to Kids, Inc., St. Petersburg.  This organization, based in Pinellas County, provides wardrobes for children of low-income families.  Founded in 2002, Clothes to Kids now expects to be able to distribute complete wardrobes to over 12,000 children in 2010, giving kids the confidence and self-esteem needed to succeed in school.  For more information, and to find out how to donate, visit www.clothestokids.org. 

• Kathleen Future Farmers of America chapter, Lakeland.  This chapter of the Future Farmers Association provides opportunities in agriculture to young leaders in the community.  It sends students to various leadership conferences across the country and plans a golf tournament to raise funds for these opportunities.

• Casselberry Elementary PTSA, Casselberry.  This organization seeks to promote healthy living among the school’s students.  It is celebrating the school’s 50th anniversary this year and plans to buy sports equipment for students.

• La Senda Antigua, Tampa. This organization strives to inspire youth in the community to pursue their musical dreams.  It plans to hold its 3rd annual music conference on Jan. 28 and 29, 2011.  The conference offers events for all ages, including music workshops and craft booths for children. For more information, visit www.LaSendaAntigua.org.

• Lakeland Police Employees Association, Lakeland.  This organization seeks to provide children with a holiday celebration.  Last year, it provided toys to 250 children. 

• AMIkids Volusia, Daytona Beach.  This non-profit organization helps troubled youth in their community by getting them off the streets and teaching them skills they will need to be successful. 

• Family Education Services, Inc., Tampa.  This non-profit organization aims to better the lives of underprivileged youth and adults in their community.  They teach life skills to people who may not have access to these resources. For more information, visit the website www.fesinc.org. 

• Project Learn, Learn, Learn, Lake Wales.  This organization provides learning materials for at-risk students.  It makes house calls, offering workbooks, pencils, and other age-appropriate materials to students.

• Heather’s Hope Foundation, Lakeland.  This non-profit organization raises awareness of domestic abuse throughout the communities’ schools and women’s shelters.  It provides assistance to women in abusive situations as well as scholarships to deserving students in local high schools.  For more information: www.heathershope.net.

• Hailey’s Hopes and Hugs Foundation, Orlando.  This non-profit organization provides spiritual and monetary assistance to families that have children stricken by cancer.  It aims to allow families to focus on the healing aspect of the disease, rather than the financial obligations.  More information: www.HaileysHopesAndHugs.org.

• Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Lakeland.  This organization has an emergency assistance program for families who are in emergency situations.  The mini-grant will be used to help the less fortunate during the holidays.  More information: www.cflcc.org. 

• Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tampa.  Make-A-Wish Foundation makes the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses come true.  These wishes give little ones strength and courage to keep fighting as well as make memories that will last a lifetime.  More information: wishcentral.org. 

• New Directions Community Outreach, Altamonte Springs.  This organization aims to help children stay in school and prepare for college.  It provides homeless children with mentoring and tutoring services that help ensure the success of these young people. 

• Lanes Teenage Girls, Inc., Orlando.  This is a middle-school book club aimed at enhancing the vocabulary of today’s youth as well as teaching them valuable behavioral and social skills.  It seeks to supply books to students.  More information can be found on the web at www.LanesTG.org. 

• The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., Tampa.  The Annual Melting Pot Classic Golf Tournament will be held on Nov. 15 to raise money and awareness for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  St. Jude specializes in pediatric cancer as well as other catastrophic childhood diseases.  

• St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, Clearwater.  This organization seeks to give bicycles to needy children for the holiday season.  Amscot provided a contribution of bicycle helmets. More information: www.scosparish.org. 

• Pinewood Elementary, Orlando.  Pinewood Elementary is looking to provide helmets to their students playing outside in dangerous conditions.  Amscot provided a contribution of bicycle helmets.

About Amscot Financial
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial is The Money Superstore™, providing 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. 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 Money Superstores 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.amscotfinancial.com.