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CEYLON - Two months ago, Chris and Eric Griffin of Ceylon lost everything they owned in a house fire.

"They were lucky to get out with what they had on their backs," said Michelle Iverson, Chris Griffin's best friend and organizer of a benefit tonight for the couple.. "It was the computer wiring, and it was in the walls."

The couple was visiting Iverson the night the fire occurred.

"Their dog had gotten out and they ended up over here," Iverson recalled. "Normally at that time, Eric would've been asleep. It was lucky because if they had been home, because of where the fire was, the fire department said they probably wouldn't have been able to get out. It's kind of funny how those things just happen to work."

While the couple is currently staying in another house in Ceylon, there is plenty of uncertainty in their lives.

"It's like they're starting all over," Iverson said. "But everyone is doing what they can."

Iverson and the community continue to rally around the Griffin family with tonight's benefit at the Nassen-Detert Legion, behind Bukes Place in Ceylon. A spaghetti feed will be going from 5-7:30 p.m., along with an auction and karaoke to follow. (Donations also can be made at Welcome State Bank.)

"We've had lots of stuff donated for the auction from individuals and from the businesses," Iverson said.

Though the benefit took six weeks to plan, the Griffins still didn't know what was happening as of Friday.

"She knows I'm doing something for her," Iverson said. "She's been going nuts trying to figure it out."

Iverson said the small town's caring has managed to convince the Griffins to stay in Ceylon.

"I was worried about (them leaving)," Iverson said after the fire. "But they have lots of friends here and they're good people, and they're looking to stay in Ceylon."