Benson — Sixteen-year-old Heather Bibeault was on her way home from work at a pizzeria in Goldsboro on Nov. 5 when she saw the fire trucks.

“I couldn’t tell which house it was,” Bibeault said Saturday night in Benson. “I didn’t know if it was my house or the next. I was so scared.”

It was her house. The home where she lived with her parents and four siblings was destroyed by the blaze. They lost everything, including their pets. “In 15 minutes the house was gone,” said Bibeault, whose family had no insurance.

A benefit concert Saturday night at Banner Chapel Church raised money for Bibeault and her family. Rebekah Todd, 20, has put together a band festival the last three years to help a family in need.

Todd said she expected Bandfest 2008 to raise $700 to $800 for the family.

“I just thought it would be cool to have an all-day festival,” she said.

Sixteen bands played throughout the night. The Separate, a local band, was one of them. “We just wanted to be a part of it,” said Tyler Ashworth, 24, a band member. “We know most of the bands, so it’s almost like a family reunion.”

Todd started her project three years ago, when she was a freshman at Campbell University. Helping people is important to her. She spent a few months last year on a mission to South Africa with a dance and drama ministry.

A musician herself, Todd met Bibeault’s family while playing a gig in Wilson. Music is important to Bibeault and her family. Her mother, Lorie Mundorf, used to write for a music magazine, Bibeault said. The family lets traveling bands stay at their home when they pass through town.

“I love music,” Bibeault said. “I write music. Music is a major part of our lives.”

The family is now staying in a house in Goldsboro.

“It’s not in the best of neighborhoods, but it’s until we can get a house where we want to be,” Bibeault said. Bibeault is thankful for the all the help her family has received. Churches donated money, and the family received food, clothing and furniture. “People have been amazing,” she said.

The event drew youngsters from beyond Johnston County. Patrick Kolstee, 18, of Fayetteville came to the band festival with his youth group. He said young people need more events like the concert in Benson.

“In some cases, it keeps people out of trouble,” Kolstee said. “It’s just really fun. It’s a time to loosen up and forget about everything that happened during the day and have fun.”

The Charming Youngsters, a Greenville-based band, performed. Eric Von Kopp, 23, who graduated from North Johnston High in 2003, is in the band. He and his bandmates sing about the dangers of loving money too much. They also sing about Jesus.

“It’s a good way to give back to the community,” Von Kopp said. “It’s been a good experience. We like to share our music.”