Abe Saunders feels blessed.

A stranger purchased a new windshield for his car, which was smashed after Abe hit a deer at about 5:30 a.m. two weeks ago while driving to his job at the McDonald’s in Franklin from his home in Gates, N.C. A crew trainer at the Armory Drive fast-food restaurant, the 40-year-old didn’t have the money to replace it.

The 20-mile commute in his 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII has been tough.

“I had to turn on the heat and lean to one side (to see),” he said.

Jennifer Roberts, the office manager for National Glass across the street from McDonald’s, said on Wednesday a man, who did not want to be identified, purchased a $160 windshield for Abe’s car. It was installed Thursday.

Roberts said the good Samaritan did not know Abe.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “I’m very grateful.”

• In observation of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mary Dunn, owner of Farmhouse Photography in Franklin, gathered her friends and family members who are breast cancer survivors or victims of the disease.

Together, they raised more than $50 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Mary took a picture of the group and included her 6-year-old son, Timothy.

Included in the photo were Mary Davidson, diagnosed on Jan. 14, 2002; Vanessa Jones, diagnosed April 19, Mollie Blythe, diagnosed in August 1998; Mary Eure, diagnosed on March 28; and Rhonda Joyner, diagnosed on Aug. 8, 2006.

Rhonda is Mary Dunn’s mother and Timothy’s grandmother.

“Ever since my mom was diagnosed, I want to tell people how important it is to be checked,” Mary Dunn said.

• East End and New Community Church will celebrate Bishop Stephen D. Willis Sr.’s 77th birthday at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.

The event will be held in East End Church at 410 East St., Franklin.

Willis, who has been in the ministry for 50 years, and his wife, Lady Carolyn Willis, are the parents of Stephen Willis Jr., Deborah Willis, Teresa Powell and Angela Barnes. Four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren complete the family.

GWEN ALBERS is managing editor of The Tidewater News. Her email address is gwen.albers@tidewaternews.com.