Father and son duo, Rob and Bobby Curry, set off for a ten-day climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free standing mountain, this past July. Team Curry dedicated months to training for their climb to ensure they reached the summit successfully. Team Curry’s physical training officially began 8 months ago in November 2014. While Bobby played tennis in his senior high school season, he also committed to lifting weights and strength training on his own time. Rob’s initial program dedicated three days a week to cardiovascular and strength training. In January 2015, the physical training increased to 5 days per week and a strict nutrition plan was incorporated. When April came around, Team Curry began practicing weighted hikes and Rob went so far as to practice hiking with an air restrictor mask to simulate lower oxygen levels at a high elevation.
Not only was it a great adventure for father and son prior to Bobby heading off for college, but also a way to raise awareness and funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association [MDA] in the fight against muscle disease. The goal was to raise $1 for each meter of elevation climbed. Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters high, putting their fundraising goal at $5,895, which they surpassed, raising $6,347. This endeavor is Team Curry’s first personal extension of a larger Muscle Up campaign put on by Jiffy Lube since 2012. As a Jiffy Lube owner/operator for 20 years, Rob had made an annual habit of giving back to his community. In years past, Rob and Bobby have hosted corporate fundraisers including a Lube-a-thon, Free Gas Giveaway, and volunteered their time at Children Summer Camps, all benefiting the MDA.
Rob has lived in Rossmoor since 1997 with his wife Noreen Curry (a teacher at Hopkinson Elementary) and three kids, who attended Hopkinson and Oak Middle School. He has been the owner of the Los Alamitos Jiffy Lube since it opened in 1997. He currently owns 19 Jiffy Lube locations in OC and LA County. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Alamitos Group and Rob being a Jiffy Lube franchisee.
An additional fundraiser and Open House was held this past weekend, which brought out the support of local firefighters. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Greater Orange County/Inland Empire’s office in Cypress.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association will be acknowledging Curry and his accomplishments at a gala to be held on Oct. 17, at the Los Alamitos Race Course, which will include a special presentation about his climb. The evening will include dinner, dancing, special art auctions and a night at the races dedicated to MDA families. Members of the business community that would like to attend this elite invitation only event can contact Heather Erickson at the MDA via email at herickson@mdausa.org.
About Mount Kilimanjaro
Mt. Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano located in Tanzania, Africa. The last eruption was 360,000 years ago and last volcanic activity over 200 years ago. There are seven official trekking routes by which to ascend and descend Mt. Kilimanjaro. High elevation, low temperatures, and occasional high winds make this a difficult and dangerous climb.