Singing for peace: Second annual Bojamz brings in dollars for charity

It’s not unusual for folks to end their weekend with some music and mudbugs.

While the scene at Boshamps on Sunday seemed pretty typical, it was actually the second annual Bojamz benefiting the nonprofit Planting Peace, which was co-founded by Destin native Aaron Jackson.

Jared Cramblet and his fiancée, Kelby Schweickert, first hosted the event last year to bring awareness to their friend’s charity.

“Aaron is pretty much my hero,” Cramblet said. “I wanted to find a way to support what he was doing. It’s inspiring to know someone from the community is doing what he does.”

The nonprofit’s primary focus is on humanitarian aid and environmental initiative. In 2013, Planting Peace made national headlines when it bought a house across the street from the infamous Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., whose members rally against gays, and painted it in rainbow colors, calling it the Equality House.

Although Jackson no longer lives in Destin, Cramblet and Schweickert want to keep the community supportive of his charitable efforts.

“It’s important for Destin to come together,” Schweickert said. “There’s a lot of people who still aren’t familiar with the organization.”

Last year’s Bojamz was Cramblet’s first stab at event planning. It earned Planting Peace $10,000.

This year he’s aiming for $15,000.

“And we’re well on our way,” he said.

Proceeds raised at the event will go toward projects and programs within the nonprofit, including not only the Equality House but also de-worming children in impoverished countries, operating six orphanages around the world, planting trees and conserving rainforests.

“It all goes to our mission of spreading peace in a hurting world,” said Planting Peace Director of Operations Davis Hamet.

Hamet is also a Destin native. He lives in the Equality House and works to raise awareness for civil rights in the Topeka area.

He said it’s amazing to get this kind of outreach from his hometown.

“I really wish I could be down there,” he said over the phone Sunday afternoon. “It’s so great to see the community that raised us to show this kind of support.”