"I haven't laughed that much in a long, long time."

That from Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Michael Penner.

Butt's new animated Corner Gas series is expected to be released January 2018

Brent Butt returned to Winkler this week, partnering with BBBS on the fundraiser comedy event Tuesday night knowing the positive influence of mentorship.

The youngest of seven kids, growing up Brent was the little brother of three sisters and brothers.

"There was no shortage of brothers and sisters around," Butt says. "I was fortunate."

The evening kicked off with comedian Leland Klassen followed by a live auction.

Klassen explains he mined his Mennonite roots for comedy gold.

"I wondered if I'd get some old Mennonites come up to me and set my Low-German right," he says. "It was fun, when I come to Manitoba I come back to my roots."

Comedian Leland Klassen has appeared on numerous television networks and comedy festivals across North America

In total, the event helped raise over $9,000 for the mentoring organization, "the generosity of the community really is hard to describe, and we're just very thankful for it," Executive Director Michael Penner says.

"Ultimately we get to mentor more kids," Penner says. "Programs cost money, and if we don't have the money we can't mentor... the money goes right back into the community to help kids."

Moving forward Butt says he will be increasingly busy with a new animated Corner Gas series. Currently in production, the new show is expected to be released January 2018.

"I said I wouldn't do it unless I felt it was going to work," Butt says, adding he feels the show is coming together well. With the original cast reprising their roles, he says fans of the live-show will likely appreciate the new series.