Dianne began her career at The Home Depot in 1983, spending over 41 years with the company. Her tenure included building strong relationships and assisting many customers. One of the most significant events during her time was Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which forced her and her family to evacuate their home in New Orleans, Louisiana.
During this period of displacement, Dianne received support from The Homer Fund, an associate-funded nonprofit organization. “The Homer Fund was there for me when I needed it most,” Dianne said. The financial assistance provided by the fund helped cover expenses such as food, gas, hotel stays, and other necessities while she and her family were away from home. “Every bit helped—because you’re spending extra money just to get by. It made a huge difference.”
After returning to work, Dianne credited both her colleagues at The Home Depot and The Homer Fund for helping her recover from the experience. “It’s like a big family. We all support each other. And The Homer Fund is there whenever somebody is in dire need.”
Now retired, Dianne reflects on her career and the help she received during Hurricane Katrina. “I am so Orange at Heart,” she said. “And I will always be Orange at Heart.”
The Homer Fund has been operating since 1999 as a nonprofit charity created by associates for associates of The Home Depot. Since its inception, it has distributed more than $290 million in grants to employees facing unexpected hardships.
In addition to individual support through The Homer Fund, The Home Depot Foundation plays a role in disaster response efforts across communities. During Hurricane Katrina, both organizations contributed to relief activities; together they donated $4.75 million for relief efforts and launched the “Rebuilding Hope and Homes” campaign focused on health services and affordable housing for those affected by disasters.
More information about how The Home Depot responds to natural disasters can be found at https://corporate.homedepot.com/newsroom/disaster-response.
