Page 1 - The Friday Flyer ● DECEMBER 21, 2018

CANYON LAKE’S NEWSPAPER • DECEMBER 21, 2018

CLAMS continues to give back to Riverside Board of Clubs collect donations
Supervisors honors CL for Salvation Army

the community Pg. A7 resident Pg. A9 Pg. A15

Hundreds of San-
tas cruise through
Huntington Beach
on the last leg of
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FRANK OPP Ride.
the annual Santa

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FRANK OPP

Canyon Laker Frank Opp, middle, founded the Santa Ride Canyon Lakers carry

18 years ago. His son Trevor, right, has been participating
each year since the age of three. He has since graduated
from riding dressed as an elf to riding dressed as a Santa. on Santa Ride tradition

BY DONNA RITCHIE The Santa ride starts at 7 a.m. at the Huntington
EDITOR, THE FRIDAY FLYER Beach Elks Lodge, 7711 Talbert Ave, where partici-
Canyon Lake resident Frank Opp and his son Trevor pants pick up their ride pin and enjoy breakfast for $10.
are gearing up for the 18th annual Santa Ride on Dec. Riders will leave the lodge at 9:15 a.m. and travel to
24 to benefit Orangewood Children's Home. the Orangewood Children's Home to deliver the toys
Frank founded the Santa Ride in 2000 when he and and other donations. From there, riders will travel to
some of his friends thought it would be entertaining to Balboa Island and then to Main Street in Huntington
dress up as Santas and ride their motorcycles on Christ- Beach where the ride ends.
Several years ago, when the motorcycles consumed
mas Eve. Balboa Island bumper to bumper, Frank decided to take
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FRANK OPP rode with Frank. Trevor graduated from elf to Santa he felt it was unfair to the businesses and residents.
Trevor, then three years old, dressed as an elf and
Balboa Island off the route the following year because
when he received his driver's license and Frank gifted
When the spectators lined the streets the following
him the bike he rode on as a younster in the first Santa.
year and the Santas failed to show up, the mayor con-
"Trevor absolutely loves this annual tradition," said
tacted Frank and expressed his disappointment. Frank
The first year, six Santas participated in the ride.
year.
Santas and their elves deliver nearly 1,000 toys to Orange- Frank. "We look forward to it all year long." added Balboa Island back on the route the following
Last year, 340 Santas participated. An estimated 500
At the end of the Santa Ride, Frank invites riders
wood Children's Home in Orange. The Santas have been to 600 motorcycles are expected this year. News of the to travel to Hell's Kitchen Motorsports Bar and Grill,
delivering toys to the organization on Christmas Eve for the ride has always been spread by word of mouth. This 32685 Ortega Hwy., Lake Elsinore, for lunch.
past 17 years. year, flyers are being distributed. Participants dressed as Santa will receive 20 percent
Each participant is asked to donate an unwrapped off their bill and 30 percent of the sales will be donated
toy, gift card or money. The donations are delivered to a local children's organization.
by the riders to Orangewood Children's Home. Nearly The restaurant is owned by Frank and Trevor, now
1,000 gifts were donated last year. 21 years old, who purchased it in 2017. The restaurant
Frank chose Orangewood Children's Home be- opened its doors six months later. Three months after
cause the organization is near and dear to his heart. opening, the Holy Fire erupted in Lake Elsinore.
As a former Huntington Beach police officer, Frank Frank and Trevor ignored the mandatory evacuation
would sometimes have to place children in the care of orders and instead kept the doors open 24 hours a day
Orangewood Children's Home. "Most of their family to offer refuge and free meals to the first responders.
members didn't even know where their kids were," said "Once the evacuation became mandatory, it was just us
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FRANK OPP Santa Ride being held on Christmas Eve, Frank said, City of Canyon Lake for helping the first responders.
Frank.
up there," said Frank. "It's what had to be done."
In response to the few critics who disagree with the
On Oct. 3, Frank and Trevor were honored by the
"When people participate, they have such satisfaction. The City of Lake Elsinore also honored the father and
These are people who are taking time away from their son.

ing, that is real sacrifice." He added, "It's only a few looking forward to spreading some cheer on Christmas
Santa helps deliver toys to the Orangewood Children's families for kids who really need it. That is truly giv- It's been a tough year for the Opps, who say they are
hours out of your day to make a difference for a child Eve. For more information about the Santa Ride, visit
Home in his oversized red wagon. this holiday season." hbsantaclausride.com.