50,000 Votes and Counting in 'America Deserves a Raise' Contest

News provided by

May 13, 2010, 06:37 ET

Advance America to Give Matching Donation to Charitable Organization

SPARTANBURG, S.C., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Advance America, the nation's leading provider of cash advance services, today announced that over 50,000 votes have been cast for individual entries in its "America Deserves A Raise" contest. The company has committed to donating $1 for each of these votes, a total of $50,000, to a charitable organization that will be named in July.

Contestants are nominating someone they know, or themselves, for the raise of a lifetime by submitting short essays that describe a special accomplishment, a job well done or simply consistent hard work. Friends, family members and supporters are invited to read and rate the stories to help determine the most deserving nominee on the contest's website.

"These are truly inspiring stories of the hardworking individuals who advance America everyday. And, there is still time to share your story," said Trudy Boyles, chief marketing officer of Advance America.

"We have already received more than a thousand entries nominating Americans who deserve a raise and we are thrilled. Each story is compelling in its own way – recognizing teachers, parents, mentors and veterans for their strong commitment to their jobs and communities."

Contest submissions will be accepted through July 27, 2010. The top rated one hundred essays, will be reviewed by a panel of judges to determine first and second place winners. The campaign involves prizes of more than $100,000, including daily opportunities to win $100 Visa® Gift Cards. Contest rules and submission information are available at www.AmericaDeservesARaise.com. Please visit us on Facebook and Twitter @UAdvanceAmerica.

About Advance America

Founded in 1997, Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. (NYSE: AEA) is the country's leading provider of cash advance services, with approximately 2,500 centers and 72 limited licensees in 32 states, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Company offers convenient, less-costly credit options to consumers whose needs are not met by traditional financial institutions. The Company is a founding member of the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), whose mission is to promote laws that provide substantive consumer protections and to encourage responsible industry practices. Please visit www.advanceamerica.net for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information:

Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements in this release other than those relating to our historical information or current condition are forward-looking statements. For example, any statements regarding our future financial performance, our business strategy, and expected developments in our industry are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the current views and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, those views and expectations and the related statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are not under our control and may not even be predictable. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from our expectations as of today and any future results, performance, or achievements expressed directly or impliedly by the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of some of the factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our current expectations, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, copies of which are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request from us, or by going to our website: www.advanceamerica.net.

SOURCE Advance America