By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorSince being diagnosed with breast cancer in November, the past five months have been an emotional roller-coaster for Lori Davolt.From surgeries to chemo treatments, the Warren County R-III School District bus driver has had her hands full in her courageous fight.Through it all, her co-workers have provided support.The R-III transportation department recently held a raffle basket fund-raiser where nearly $3,100 was raised to help defray some of the medical expenses for Davolt. Most of the money was raised by raffling off four baskets, with about 250 tickets sold. Another $300 was donated by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.The fund-raiser followed another successful event where $1,200 was raised for Davolt at a Christmas party the transportation department held in December.“This is my bus family,” said Davolt, who has driven for the district for five years. “Not only to support me financially, but to support me mentally, emotionally; they have been a huge encouragement.”Kevin Pirrung, the district’s transportation director, said he appreciated everyone’s support, from the bus drivers who organized the raffle to those who purchased the raffle tickets.“The community has been great,” he said. “It’s a nice small-town feeling. It’s nice to see people do stuff like this for people.”The support has been overwhelming. Davolt has five children, three — ages, 9, 14 and 16 — who live at home. When she was ill from the chemo treatments, the bus drivers would select a night to provide and fix meals for the children. Since being diagnosed, Davolt has had to miss around 50 days of work.“Everybody has been so good in so many ways,” Davolt said. “It’s been tremendous. I am thankful and grateful for everything they do.”Though a major surgery awaits, for now Davolt is overjoyed walking into the bus garage facility each day and returning to the driver’s seat.“It’s normal,” Davolt said. “Normal was not happening.”BREAKOUTThe Warren County R-III transportation department raffled off four baskets to raise funds to benefit bus driver Lori Davolt, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.The raffle winners were:Meat basket — Joanna HoelscherPamper Yourself basket — Julia BuskenFishing basket — Will RodakEntertainment basket — Rick Hendrickson

RAFFLE SUCCESS- Lori Davolt, a bus driver for the Warren County R-III School District, calls out a name during a raffle drawing fund-raiser held April 17. The R-III transportation department raffled off four baskets and raised more than $3,100 for Davolt, who is battling breast cancer.