Moira’s Mission honors car fire victim by raising funds to provide free car fire extinguishers

Union Fire District of South Kingstown and Kingston Fire District to Reunite with Family of Car Fire Victim

Scotland native and longtime Charlestown, RI resident Moira “Scotty” Perna passed away following a car fire while en route to a friend’s house on Sept. 21, 2020. Nearly five years later, in her memory, Scotty’s family will pay it forward by spreading awareness about vehicle fires and thanking the first responders who attempted to save her. 

Union Fire District of South Kingstown Chief Steven Pinch and Kingston Fire District Chief Thomas Reed and first responders from both fire departments and surrounding areas will be reuniting with the family of the car fire victim – while announcing “Moira’s Mission” – an effort to seek donations to give South Kingstown residents free car fire extinguishers.

The kickoff of the effort will be held on Thursday, March 13th at 11am, at the Kingston Fire District, 35 Bills Road, Kingston, RI

“The man driving behind my mother that night found me after the accident and shared his story,” Scotty’s daughter, Lisa Lynch, said. “He told me, ‘If only I had a fire extinguisher in my car, maybe I could have done something.'”

Thus, “Moira’s Mission” was born.

“She was always laughing and would call everyone ‘Lass,'” said Lynch. “Everybody loved her.” Scotty spent her career at the University of Rhode Island, working there for 35 years. 

Knowing that her close friend Lisa Brunetti had recently founded Universe Juice, a nonprofit focused on reuniting individuals whose lives have been touched by traumatic incidents with the first responders who were among the first to provide support at the scene, Lynch reached out to Brunetti for help. 

The two created “Moira’s Mission,” and Lynch donated over 30 fire extinguishers to residents of South Kingstown to keep in their vehicles for free. Brunetti matched Lynch’s donation and found the individuals who responded to Scotty’s accident in 2020. 

“Aside from the event we hosted for the first responders of my own car accident,  Lisa’s event is Universe Juice’s first ‘official’ reunion,” Brunetti said. “Because she’s a friend of mine, and we’ve incorporated an important public safety campaign in collaboration with the Union and Kingston Fire Districts, it’s even more special.”

On March 13, Lynch will reunite with these heroes from various departments for the first time since that traumatic night and will also launch the free fire extinguisher initiative for residents at the reunion.

Both women have worked to gather donations from local businesses, and the extinguishers will be made available for pickup throughout the week following the reunion.

“These first responders and witnesses tried to save my mother’s life, and for me, this is an opportunity to say thank you,” Lynch said. “Anyone can keep extinguishers in their car, and hopefully, this event will bring the importance of this equipment into the public eye.”

About Universe Juice 

Universe Juice, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, is devoted to reuniting individuals whose lives have been touched by traumatic incidents with the first responders who were instrumental in attending to their needs. Its mission is to facilitate meaningful connections between first responders and trauma survivors or families who have lost loved ones. More information can be found at UniverseJuice.org.