It raises hundreds of thousands of dollars every holiday season and its recognition is growing. 

Riverton City officially commended Riverton High School’s annual charity drive with a mayoral proclamation declaring the days of Dec. 1 through Dec. 19 the Riverton High School Silver Rush Season. 

“It’s an incredible tradition that’s been established here and something that is so well received and welcome in our community,” Mayor Trent Staggs said during the Dec. 2 City Council meeting. 

That tradition is the Silver Rush, where Riverton High student body officers and students spend December raising money for a chosen charity through service, odd jobs, community events and more. This year’s funds will go to the We Give Hope Foundation and the Jordan District Mental Health Access Program. 

In 2022, the Silver Rush raised over $260K for the Children’s Justice Center. (File photo courtesy Katie Borgmeier)

The student body officers (SBOs) were recognized at the December council meeting where student body adviser Katie Borgmeier, who has overseen the Silver Rush for the last 15 years, expressed gratitude to the community and especially to the students. 

“These 20 individuals are such a great example to their peers and the community to go out and say…’we’re gonna find ways to serve others,’” she said. “And honestly there’s no better feeling than going out and completing an odd job.” 

The tradition began when the school opened in 1999 with students noting throughout the years how its simply part of the culture at the school. In the early years students would go caroling with big Mount Olympus water jugs — jugs that have been preserved so the student body officers could hold them during their council recognition — and basketball games and community events to raise money. 

“Thank you for letting us come out and serve you and participating all these years,” Borgmeier said during the meeting, highlighting the Riverton and Bluffdale communities. 

SBO president Seth Christensen added it’s the community that has made Silver Rush what it is. “There’s nothing more I can say than thank you.” 

The proclamation recognized Silver Rush success for the “compassion, enthusiasm, dedication, and leadership of Riverton High School Students.”

“It’s significant financial support to local charities that impact our community. However, it is appreciated even more for the personal change it makes in people’s lives, including the lives of the students who serve by uniting as a force for good,” the proclamation reads.  

The various charities Silver Rush has helped through the years includes the Children’s Justice Center, The Single Parent Project and Bear-O-Care. 

According to the Riverton High calendar, students performed odd jobs for 14 different days along with countless partnerships with local restaurants and hosted events like the Silver Rush Boutique and Silver Rush Invitational Swim Meet. 

“If you aren’t familiar with Silver Rush…it’s kinda hard to miss it,” Staggs said. “It’s really impressive what they do year in and year out.”