Tripp Steele, Managing Partner/General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Albuquerque, presents proceeds from the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championship Golf Tournament in the amount of $26,040 to Presbyterian Ear InstituteALBUQUERQUE, NM – Each year, Mercedes-Benz of Albuquerque hosts the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championship Golf Tournament, with all proceeds benefiting a local charitable organization. Presbyterian Ear Institute (PEI) was the recipient of the proceeds from the 2017 tournament, held at Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club on September 11. Tripp Steele, Mercedes-Benz of Albuquerque Managing Partner and General Manager, presented a check to PEI in the amount of $26,040.

"Giving these funds to PEI means a great deal to me as a father of a daughter with special needs," said Mr. Steele at the check presentation. "At Mercedes-Benz of Albuquerque, we have identified a number of charitable organizations that create a better quality of life for special needs children, and we really value the work that PEI is doing in our community."

Presbyterian Ear Institute began as a research and pediatric cochlear implant program under the direction of Dr. Karl L. Horn in 1987. PEI was selected as one of the first FDA approved clinical trial sites for pediatric cochlear implantation. In 1989, Dr. Horn and PEI started a speech therapy program and an oral school to teach deaf children with cochlear implants and hearing aids to listen and speak. Today, PEI is the premier center for the early identification, early intervention and education of children with hearing loss.

Mercedes-Benz of Albuquerque selected PEI as the beneficiary of the Dealer Championship Golf Tournament in accord with their mission of supporting programs that assist children with special needs. Other organizations that Mercedes-Benz of Albuquerque regularly contributes to include the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network, East Mountain High School and Holman's Foundation for Autism.

The date for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championship Golf Tournament is set for Friday, August 17, 2018 at Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club. The format is a handicapped two-man team, with winners moving on to the Mercedes-Benz Sectional Tournament. Registration. Cost per team is $500, with all proceeds benefitting Presbyterian Ear Institute. More information is available at www.MBABQGolfTournament.com.

To learn more about Presbyterian Ear Institute, please visit www.PresbyterianEarInstitute.org.