Financial Service Centers of America

Presents 2003 Activa National Community Service Awards 

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The Financial Service Centers of America (FiSCA), a professional association serving more than 5,000 neighborhood financial service centers across the United States, honored five of its members for exemplary community service at the organization’s annual national conference held this past week in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

FiSCA, representing an industry that cashes an estimated 180 million checks annually at an aggregate face value of $55 billion, launched the Activa Awards in 1999 to recognize members who make significant contributions to the communities where they live and work.  In addition to countless hours spent planning and implementing community service programs, this year’s Activa Award winners have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local projects.

“I’m proud to say that financial service center owners and managers not only provide vital financial services throughout America’s neighborhoods, but we’re also working had to improve the safety, education, health and welfare of the communities we serve,” said William Siegel, chairman of FiSCA.  “As an organization, we believe it’s important to recognize those members making extraordinary contributions to the quality of life in their local areas.”

The 2003 Activa Award Winners:

·      ACE Cash Express, Inc., an Irving, Texas, company with 1,170 locations and 2,300 employees, was selected for its March of Dimes program, which raised over $44,000 in the first year from customer and employee donations and employee participation in the national WalkAmerica. Following ACE’s fundraising success, the March of Dimes invited ACE to participate in its annual national leadership meeting in Washington, D.C.

·        Check Agencies of California/Check Center, an Oakland, California, company with 13 locations and 107 employees, was chosen for its Child Safety Awareness program, as well as its major contributions to the Boys and Girls Club and its support of Meals on Wheels.  Check Center donated countless hours and over $138,000 to many organizations, including the Children’s Hospital, Breast-Feeding Across America and Wish Upon a Star Foundation.

·       Check Cashers Association of New York (CCANY), a trade association representing more than 500 members, was recognized for its highly successful School Uniform Fund and its College Scholarship Program, as well as its many financial contributions and community service activities -- from supporting local Little League to area hospitals and non-profits.  CCANY joined forces with Western Union to raise over $300,000, providing over 3,000 youngsters with school uniforms. Through the College Scholarship Program, CCANY and partner Travelers Express/Money Gram have awarded over 125 high school seniors a total of more than $225,000 since the program’s inception in 1996. 

·        Checksmart/Buckeye Check Cashing Inc., a Dublin, Ohio, company with 110 locations and 675 employees, was honored for its support of many causes and charities, most notably its support of the Fallen Patriot Fund.   Checksmart matched donations from its employees and customers, raising nearly $20,000 for the Fund.  The Fallen Patriot Fund of the Mark Cuban Foundation was established to help families of U.S. military personnel who were killed or seriously injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

·       Moneytree, Inc., a Seattle, Washington, company with 85 locations and 842 employees, was selected for its numerous community service activities, including the “Catches for Kids” program for the Childhaven Capital Campaign. Moneytree partnered with the Seattle Seahawks, making a $100 donation for every pass reception completed by the Seahawks receivers, for a total contribution of over $36,000.  Moneytree has donated over $140,000 to Childhaven, which provides programs to eliminate child abuse and neglect through early intervention. 

FiSCA is a national trade association founded in 1987. The organization is the leading voice of the financial service industry, representing more than 5,000 members. FiSCA members provide check cashing, money orders, electronic bill payments, money wire transfers, automatic teller machine access, government benefit and payroll payments, deferred deposit services, electronic tax preparation, prepaid debit cards, deposit acceptance services, public transportation fare and token sales, motor vehicle license plate and title distribution, postage stamp sales and numerous other services. For more information visit www.fisca.org.

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