OREGON – Volunteer firefighter Thomas Jones, 25, severely burned in an explosion and fire on Aug. 20, is making progress and expects to be home by Christmas, his parents said.

Penny and Mick Jones of Oregon made their remarks Monday as they accepted a $14,000 check from Oregon firefighters and Assistant Fire Chief Randy Travis to help pay their son’s medical expenses.

Thomas, who was burned over 85 percent of his body, has been getting specialized therapy at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago since Nov. 21. Before that, he was at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.