Tracey Aiello, founder of The August Group career networking organization, will swim across Irondequoit Bay on his 60th birthday to raise awareness and funds for the group. Aiello will begin his swim at 6:00am on July 24th from his home at 1208 Bay Shore Blvd, where supporters can cheer him on. He aims to inspire job seekers and show that anything is possible. The August Group helps unemployed individuals but relies on donations, as it does not charge membership fees. Aiello is asking for donations to bet that he will complete the swim and that more members will find jobs.

1. For immediate release
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July 13 , 2010
Contact: Diane Walker, TAG member/publicist
SunnyDi@frontier.com or 406-9260 or 264-0859
Birthday Fun(d)raiser: A Stroke of Genius for Networking Group
What does a birthday challenge, Irondequoit Bay, swimming and a local networking group have in
common?
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Tracey Aiello will swim the width of Irondequoit Bay starting at 6:00a.m.on Saturday, July 24 ,
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his 60 birthday. Aiello is a financial advisor, career coach and leader of The August Group (TAG),
Rochester’s largest premier face to face career networking organization. He is “taking the plunge” to
challenge himself while calling attention to the challenges facing hundreds of the area’s residents working
to become re-employed. Supporters may cheer him on from outside his home at 1208 Bay Shore Blvd.
(14609) where he’ll celebrate his victory swim between 6:45–7:00a.m.
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“I’m always re-inventing myself and swimming across the Bay on my 60 birthday is just another goal on
my long list of things to do. I want to swim to inspire and perhaps motivate those affected by job loss who
are searching for work in a tough economy - to help them believe that anything is possible,” said Aiello.
He volunteers an average of 20 - 30 hours each week sharing job search techniques, resume tips and
“more psychology than mechanics of re-employment” with dozens of TAG members.
Aiello is no stranger to challenge and change. He’s laid railroad track, worked as an electrical engineer on
one of Kodak’s first disposable cameras and sold automation systems before becoming a financial
adviser and a career strategist. In 2009 he achieved “Master Strategist” in the field of Neuro-Linguistic
Programming. He’s always sharing catchy quotes like “be at the cause of life…not at the effect of it.”
And for all the advice, networking and help it provides, TAG does not charge a membership fee, however
donations are needed to maintain its website and costs for copying, name badges, business cards, semi-
annual Career Fairs and supplies. For over 8 years, The Bagel Bin Café in Brighton has provided space
at no charge for numerous TAG meetings and seminars, and a small collection of benefactors provides
some financial support. But Aiello says, “It is never enough - we can always do more. This year alone,
TAG has helped more than 224 members return to work!”
Aiello is not normally a betting man, but asks TAG members, those who’ve recently “landed” (jargon for
gone back to work) and the community to make a donation that bets he’ll make it across the bay, and that
more TAG members will find work by their next birthday. Everyone is welcome to show up between 6:00
and 7:00a.m. at his home at 1208 Bay Shore Blvd. to cheer him on and make a donation. A donation of
even $5.00 helps. Checks payable to “August Group Advisors” may be mailed to 1208 Bay Shore Blvd,
Rochester, NY 14609. Visit www.augustgroup.org to learn more.
Note to assignment editor:
Tracey will begin his swim at 6:00a.m. directly across the bay from his home at 1208 Bay Shore Blvd.
(14609. He’ll be escorted by his 14-year old son Chaz on a jet ski. He estimates it will take him 45 mins -
1 hr. to swim across the bay to his home. He will swim rain or shine.
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