Empowerment Express 2024
Silent Auction Now Open!
Want to support ALC and the Empowerment Express? Whether you’re attending the event or not, join us in the Silent Auction, featuring over 60 amazing items generously donated by local, statewide, and national organizations.
All Aboard!
Advocates of Lake County’s annual fundraising event, the Empowerment Express, is chugging down the track.
Join us on Saturday, June 1, for dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and a scenic ride through Lake County on the Leadville Railroad.
The Empowerment Express is one of ALC’s biggest sources of unrestricted funds to help us meet our clients’ urgent needs when other funding is unavailable or limited.
Online Ticket Sales Are Now Closed.
A Limited Number of Tickets May Be Available for In-Person Purchase at Leadville Railroad (326 East 7th Street).
Online Ticket Sales Are Now Closed.
A Limited Number of Tickets May Be Available for In-Person Purchase at Leadville Railroad (326 East 7th Street).
- Adults (21+) — $50, including admission, 1 adult meal, up to 2 alcoholic beverages, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and full access to entertainment and activities
- Youth (12-20) — $35, including admission, 1 adult meal, unlimited NA beverages, entertainment, access to “Tween Twain” activities car for younger youth
- Child (0-11) — $0, including admission, 1 child meal (mac ‘n’ cheese and hot dog), unlimited NA beverages, free childcare and activities in Kids’ Caboose/”Tween Twain”
Note: Parents with children 0-11 can opt to purchase an older-child ticket to get a full meal and still have access to childcare/activities.
It’s the cheapest date night in town, benefitting one of the best causes around!
Adult meals provided by Silver Llama Market & Eatery, with red and white wine courtesy of Mount Massive Liquors and beer and hard seltzer courtesy of Leadville Liquor.
Non-alcoholic beverages and kids’ meals provided by Advocates of Lake County and the Leadville Railroad.
Event Schedule
Thursday, May 30, 2024
- 3 p.m. MT — Silent auction opens for bidding
Friday, May 31, 2024
- All Day — Silent auction remains open
- All Day —Last call for ticket sales!
Saturday, June 1, 2024
- 5-5:15 p.m. — Arrive at Leadville Railroad train depot (326 East 7th Street in Leadville, at the corner of East 7th and Hazel)
- 5:15-5:30 p.m. — Opening remarks and board the train
- 5:30 p.m. — Train departs! Our return time is approximate, but the train will leave the station at 5:30 on the dot so be sure to arrive early!
- 5:30-7:30(ish) p.m. — Enjoy dinner, drinks, and activities onboard while you take in Lake County’s beautiful scenery, all included with your admission donation
- 7:30(ish)-8:30(ish) — Train returns to the station! Make your way into the train depot for the official Empowerment Express Afterparty, where you can explore all of our silent auction items in person and make your online bids while enjoying additional beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages (modest donation suggested)
- 11:59:59 p.m. — Silent auction officially ends at midnight
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
Private and corporate sponsors make the Empowerment Express possible. Sponsorship in any amount $200-$1000+ helps us cover the cost of food, materials, promotion, and other expenses for our event — plus adds to our general operating fund!
Sponsorship tiers:
- Tier 3: Mount Elbert ($1000+)
- Tier 2: Mount Massive ($500-999)
- Tier 1: Mount Sherman ($200-$499)
Food & Beverage Sponsors
Mount Massive Sponsors
Mount Sherman Sponsors
Thank You to Our Silent Auction Donors!
Look for generous contributions from these business and others at our 2024 Empowerment Express Silent Auction! The bidding starts on Thursday, May 30, and ends at midnight on Saturday, June 1. All bidding takes place online. Good luck!
About Advocates of Lake County & Empowerment Express
Voted 2023 Best Nonprofit in Leadville/Twin Lakes, Advocates of Lake County has been providing services to survivors of violence and individuals experiencing housing insecurity for over 40 years.
The money we raise through our annual Empowerment Express fundraiser — including ticket sales, silent auction proceeds, donations, and sponsorships — provides critical support by replenishing our general operating budget. The bulk of ALC’s funding comes from government grants that are designated for specific uses and cannot be used in any other way.
Unrestricted funding is vital for a crisis response organization like ALC since expenses can arise for clients that cannot be planned for. The General Operating Budget allows ALC to immediately adapt to the needs of our clients and to cover expenses that cannot be covered by federal grants.