Amscot Financial contributes major grants to Florida Aquarium and Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, recently gave major grants to two Tampa Bay organizations. Amscot also gave mini-grants ranging from $100 to $250 to an additional 18 non-profit service organizations in the Florida communities it serves.

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Major grants of $5,000 went to:

• The Florida Aquarium, Education Admissions Program, Tampa. The sponsored admissions program provides a day of exploration and learning to economically disadvantaged students.  Last year, the program enabled more than 100,000 school children from the Tampa Bay area to take part in science education at The Florida Aquarium. For more information, please visit: http://www.flaquarium.org.
• Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Family Stabilization Program, Tampa. The Family Stabilization Program provides counseling and economic support services to low- and moderate-income families and individuals. For more information, please visit: www.crisiscenter.com.

Mini-grants were made to the following organizations:

• Shady Hills Elementary School, Spring Hill.  Shady Hills Elementary is an A-rated school.  It provides free or reduced lunches for 72 percent of its students. The school purchases food to make baskets so that students will have food for the weekend. For more information, please visit: shes.pasco.k12.fl.us.
• Apopka High School Parent-Teacher Student Association, Apopka. Apopka High School's PTSA is assisting the school in opening a food pantry. On Friday afternoons, students will be able to pick out items from the pantry. The food pantry will be available for students who are unable, because of circumstances, to eat three meals a day on weekends.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sun Coast, Sebring.  Big Brothers Big Sisters provides one-to-one mentoring services to children throughout Highlands and Hardee counties.  It provides mentoring to hundreds of children each year, offering guidance, support, and encouragement to those who need role models in their lives.  For more information, please visit: www.bbbssun.org.
• Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Orlando. The Orlando Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization.  It is one of Central Florida's oldest and largest homeless service providers.  It offers food, clothing, shelter, education and other resources to help homeless families achieve self sufficiency. For more information, please visit http://www.ourm.org.
• Christian Help, Casselberry. The Casselberry Community Task Force operates a Care Cabin with a food pantry, clothing closet and a resource center. It began in 2011 to address the issues of the homelessness and hunger in Casselberry.  For more information, please visit: www.christianhelp.org.
• Kings Kids Christian Academy, East Tampa. The Academy is a faith-based, early-learning program for children up to five years old.  It offers a kindergarten class and after-school program. Sixty percent of the children served are below the poverty level. The program includes violin, keyboarding, sign language, music, theater and gymnastics. For more information, please visit http: www.kkcatampa.org.
• MacFarlane Park Association, Tampa. The association is hosting a National Night Out against crime and is partnering with the Tampa Police Department.
• Marrow Nation.org, Tampa. This group's emphasis is on enrolling minority marrow donors to diversify the National "Be the Match" registry. The organization's goal is to enroll 4,000 donors in 2012. The program defrays the cost by paying a percentage of the cost to enroll donors. For more information, please visit: www.marrownation.org.
• The Gathering of Women Inc., Pinellas. This not-for-profit organization serves the women of Pinellas County.  Among the services it offers is an annual education scholarship fund that assists women in completing their college education.
• Florida Institute for Community Studies, Tampa. This organization is a nonprofit that has a Multicultural Family Center and provides after-school programs.  In October, the institute will hold an event celebrating Latino cultures, called the Fourth Annual Town 'n' Country Parranda. A health fair will also be included in the festivities. For more information, please visit: www.ficsinc.org.
• Project Uplift Tampa Inc., Clearwater. This program focuses on at-risk youth aged 6 to 12. It provides an after-school and summer school program. It focuses on science, math and literacy.  The facility currently serves 125 young people. For more information, please visit: projectuplift.net.
• Acclaim Academy, Kissimmee. Acclaim Academy in Osceola County is a military-style public charter school for students in grades 7 through 12.  The students are provided with uniforms and laptops and each classroom is equipped with the latest technology. The Academy is looking to partner with the community to help sponsor a military ball.  For more information, please visit: acclaimcharter.com.
• Hope Helps, Oviedo. This group ensures that children eat a healthy lunch during the four school breaks throughout the school year. This is the one of few agencies that offers a program for students on school break. For more information, please visit: www.hopehelps.org.
• The Cypress Initiative Inc., Tampa. The initiative hopes to enhance students' lives through the "Spark Inside" mentoring program. The program assists students by helping them establish healthy relationships with peers, teachers, and other adults.  For more information, please visit: http://www.cypressinitiative.org.
• Loving Assisting Nurturing Education, Orlando. This organization mentors teenage girls through a middle school book club for girls.  The book club promotes positive behavior and social conduct while creating lifelong love for reading. For more information, please visit: www.lanestg.org.
• The Forgotten Ones, Inc., Oviedo. The Forgotten Ones provide free lunches, haircuts, groceries for families and children monthly.  It also operates a resource center for young adults. For more information, please visit: www.theforgottenonesinc.org.
• American Legion, Post 125, St. Petersburg. The American Legion Post 125 will hold its 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Oct. 21.  The proceeds will be distributed to All Childrens Hospital, a hospice and Wounded Warriors. For more information, please visit: www.americanlegionpost125.com
• CDC of Tampa, Inc., Tampa. The Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation (CDC) provides educational information, guidance, and down-payment assistance, as well as real estate development and rehabilitation programs, in an effort to help area residents increase their homeownership opportunities. For more information, please visit: http://www.tampabaycdc.org.

About Amscot Financial
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, including check cashing, bill payment, money transfers, cash advances and money orders through its business division, Amscot International Money Order Company. Amscot also offers the Amscot Card, a pre-paid debit card that enables owners to make purchases from any location that accepts MasterCard™. Amscot Financial currently operates more than 200 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 2,000 employees. Amscot Financial has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay's Best Places to Work for five years. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.amscot.com.

SOURCE Amscot Financial