Burn Victim's Fund, Benefit Aims to Raise $10K

Billy Greene sustained 3rd degree burns on 80 percent of his body after he became engulfed in flames after an electrical fire caused an explosion at a Bensalem carpet store in January.

The Friends of Billy Greene fund and a benefit have been set up to raise money for Greene, who remains hospitalized.

"He is fighting hard and we all pray that he will pull through this, but we know that he may never work again and his life may never be the same," a message on the group's website said.

The Friends of Billy Greene hopes to raise funds to help with medical bills and family finances, one of the groups four founders told Patch.

"The goal of the group is to raise $10,000 for Billy and his family," Maddi Arnott said. Arnott, her husband Brad, Robert Ranoia and Ken Dzielawa founded the Friends of Billy Greene.

"So far, we've raised about $1,200 just in donations," she said.

There are three ways to make a monetary donation. Donate using PayPal, make a deposit at any Wells Fargo Bank to the Friends of Billy Greene account or make a cash, check or money order donation payable to Friends of Billy Greene.

In addition to accepting donations, Friends of Billy Greene are planning a benefit. The event will take place on March 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Steamfitters' Local Union 420 hall in Philadelphia, where Greene is a member.

"The benefit will be a rocking good time," Arnott said. "It's a family-friendly event."

Kids 10 and younger are free, and tickets for everyone else cost $25 per person. and includes beverages, food and entertainment, Arnott explained.

As for entertainment, the event will have live music, featuring Friends with Benefits, and co-founder Ken Dzielawa's band, The Sofa Kings. Additionally, there will be raffles and a silent auction.

If a monetary donation or going to the benefit aren't possible, the group also needs items for the raffles and auction, Arnott said. To find out what is needed or for more information, e-mail friendsofbillygreene@gmail.com.

"The benefit is really coming together," the fund posted on its Facebook page. "We are so grateful to all those donating, whether it be their time or items for the benefit. It is heartwarming to see so many people joining together to help Billy and his family!"

Greene is currently at the Temple Burn Center where he is expected to stay for six months to a year, according to information on the donation website. He has undergone several surgeries and had his sixth skin graft done on Monday, Feb. 4, a family member posted on Facebook.  

He was flown to the burn center after the Jan. 17 fire at Adams Carpet Store, which is located at 2064 Street Rd. in Bensalem. Greene was working on an electrical panel box as a contract electrician at the store when an electrical explosion occurred, according to previous Patch reports.

Greene ran towards the front of the store, where an employee of Adams Carpet attempted to assist him. The employee's actions saved the man's life and most-likely prevented the fire from spreading to other stores in the same shopping center as the carpet store, Battalion Chief Robert Sponheimer said.

While attempting to help Greene, the employee also sustained burns and was first transported to Aria Torresdale by ambulance before being taken to the Temple Burn Center.