New London — The St. James Episcopal Church won’t have to endure winter without a snow blower after all, thanks to a generous donation.

Last month, the church reported its Ariens 24 LE snow blower had been stolen from the property. Officials asked the community to keep an eye out for the snow blower, which they had purchased with proceeds from community fish dinners hosted during Lent.

Within a week or so, parish administrator Ellen Merrill said, a woman called, upset someone would steal from a church. The woman, who is not a parishioner, offered to donate her Toro snow blower, which is nearly new.

Officials accepted the offer and sent a parishioner to pick up the snow blower.

"We're very grateful for her gift to us," Rector Ranjit Mathews said.