OUR TEAM
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, JILLANNE BOWLER-VELTMAN
Photography credit to: Mark Hughes Photography
Jillanne Bowler-Veltman was Buddy's foster for nearly 3 years. She established The Fund after it came to her attention that few programs were available in the province of Alberta to help support long-term care of animals under guardianship of animal welfare groups. One year after The Fund was established, Jillanne experienced the tragic and sudden loss of her shih-tzu Bella. This grief inspired a second granting program, Bella Bucks, as the organization established itself as a charity and her desire to pay tribute to animals whose lives were lost too soon transpired into a fund that would save those who were at risk without veterinary intervention. Jillanne currently has one dog, Freddie, who brings her joy in every day life, and is grateful for her husband's support in this new journey. An avid volunteer, she is motivated to change the world, one small idea - and one big heart - at a time.
VICE PRESIDENT, GENNIFER REURINK
Gennifer Reurink is a childhood friend to Jillanne and immediately jumped on board to help bring the idea of The Fund to fruition. She has been an animal-lover her entire life, owning pet rabbits as a young girl and never being without a dog in the house. Burger, her boston terrier-pug cross, has taken over her Instagram feed. After travelling across Canada for a decade, Gennifer settled back in Edmonton with her fiance in 2019 and is fueling her passion for animal welfare as a team member of Help a Buddy.
TREASURER, BECKY PARAK
Becky Parak started volunteering in rescue in 2013 when her family fostered and adopted their first dog. The Paraks realized quickly that fostering probably wasn’t for them, but Becky wanted to remain involved in the community. After a number of years as Treasurer and volunteering in events/fundraising with a local rescue, she took in her first foster cat. Edna is a long term foster through a local rescue in Edmonton, and she’s made Becky realize the importance of organizations like Help A Buddy Fund. With her background in finance and previous experience in the rescue community, it felt only natural for Becky to join the team.
FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR, BEV FAMULAK
Bev Famulak has always had a love for animals and immediately felt a pull to join the Fund's cause when she was introduced to it. She doesn't recall a time when she didn't have a pet, with her fondest memories being of a Golden Retriever named Misty that she was honoured to share her life with for 15 years. Today, Bev shares her home with Boots (aka Chaos), a shepherd/husky cross she adopted at 3 months old in 2012. Bev values the good people in her life, notably her husband and two adult children, and takes pleasure in cycling when she is not busy with animal rescue. Her administrative background and motivation to get to know everyone around her on a personal level have inspired her to lead our team in its fundraising efforts.