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NEGAUNEE -- When their Ishpeming home burned to the ground last April, the Johnsons were consumed with emotion.

"I was thinking, is anybody in the house?  Like it was a freaky dream," said victim Gena Johnson.  "You're not thinking clearly."

What they didn't think of instantly:  the essentials.  Things they would need the night and morning after the fire, like toothbrushes, soap, and medication.

"You feel like you need to go in the house and get something, but you can't go in," Johnson said.

But they've risen from the ashes, and they want to make sure future fire victims are more prepared.  They're filling tote containers with essential items, and when a fire breaks out, they'll deliver a tote straight to the victims in need.

"Essentials--just everything you need to get ready during the day that keeps you comfortable and you don't have anymore," Johnson added.

They're asking the community for donations, including some unique items like office supplies.  Folders are needed to file insurance receipts and notepads are needed to write down important contacts.  To donate, you can drop off supplies at Barr's Bar in Negaunee, where owner Kim Sowle is holding a benefit for Gena Johnson and other fire victims this Saturday.

"She's a very good friend of mine, her whole family is, and I just hope I can help her out," said Sowle.

Tickets for the benefit are $5 and can be purchased at the door.  Thursday night, the Johnsons and their friends were busy in the kitchen at the Negaunee Eagles Club preparing for the event.

"We're going to have a spaghetti dinner, salad, dinner rolls, 50-50s and we're having acoustic music," Sowle said.

If the event is successful, the Johnsons hope to hold more like it in the future.