James Wright
Sheepherders Ball – December 21
The 2024 Sheepherders Ball celebration and fundraiser will take place on Saturday, December 21, at the Basque Center, 601 W. Grove St, Boise, Idaho 83702. The Oinkari Basque Dancers will perform at 8:00 PM, followed by the lamb auction which raises funds for the Basque Foundation charities account. The dance, featuring Michael Barriatua and Spoonful will begin after the lamb auction. The cost for the dance is $5 for those 13 and older. It is free to those 12 and under. We will have our December Holiday Dinner prior to the dance, and your admission to the dinner will allow you to stay for the dance.
The Sheepherders Ball and Lamb Auction is the primary source of funding for the Basque Foundation’s charity account. The first Sheepherders Ball was held in 1929, after John Archabal convinced two Basque men’s organizations to combine their annual Christmas dances into one unified event for Basques. In 1974, the Sheepherders ball was open to the public. Basil and Dorothy Bicandi Aldecoa donated a lamb for the event’s first auction to raise money for charity. The Sheepherders Ball and Lamb Auction has provided funds for the Basque Foundation to help families in need ever since.
This annual event is a great opportunity for the Basque community to support families in need. Most of the funds raised are reserved for a designated beneficiary (or designated beneficiaries) each year. The remaining funds are shared amongst others in need. Our designated recipient for the 2024 auction is James Wright.
James is the son of Jason and Julia Wright and is part of the Zabala, Markuerkiaga, and Urribaren families. He was born a little over 6 months ago with a condition called craniosynostosis. This condition happens when the skull joins together before the brain has fully formed creating this cranial deformity. James wears a helmet to try to help naturally form is cranium. He will need surgery to help with this.
Donations are tax deductible and can be made via the following methods:
- Credit card donations may be made online through the following website: https://www.basquecenter.com/donate/
- Drop off a donation at the Basque Center
- Send a check to Basque Foundation, Inc., Attn: Sheepherders Ball, 601 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83702
We will have our December Holiday Dinner prior to the dance, and your admission to the dinner will allow you to stay for the dance. Reservations are required for dinner, and seating is limited. Please make your dinner reservations by using the button below. If you are unable to make your reservation online, please call in or text your reservation to 208-572-0604.