The University of Victoria has put out the welcome mat.

Not that the campus has ever been inhospitable, but it has now officially launched the UVic Welcome Centre - a "one-stop shop" for all types of information and assistance.

The centre is aimed at both the university community and visitors. It will also co-ordinate the tour program on campus, offered daily to prospective students, school groups, community organizations and others.

More than 5,000 people took advantage of organized campus tours in 2011.

The new service is part of the UVic Centre, which also houses the Farquhar Auditorium and other amenities. Welcome Centre manager Bruno Rocca said the doors were actually opened Jan. 3, and 2,400 people have already been helped.

"It's the first time that the University of Victoria has had a central service for visitors and people who are trying to navigate the university."

Guidance can be given not only for the physical layout but also for finding the right person to talk to, Rocca said. "We do a lot of wayfinding. We do a lot of referrals."

Something like the Welcome Centre becomes more necessary as the university grows, Rocca said. With new construction, new buildings and about 20,000 students, he said moving around can be a challenge for someone who is unfamiliar with the surroundings. Many community members have come into the centre so far, Rocca said.

Hours of operation are 8: 30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m. weekdays and 11: 30 a.m. to 3: 30 p.m. Saturdays.

KIDS' CONCERT BENEFITS SCHOOLS

Kids Helping Kids returns to the stage Wednesday, with young performers sharing their talent to support local schools.

The Kids Helping Kids program is based at Gateway Baptist Church under the direction of Donna Forster. The annual concert it puts on has become a mainstay over the past 13 years. During that time, the event has raised nearly $65,000 for initiatives that benefit students in need.

Forster said a roster of four school choirs will be part of the performance, including groups from James Bay, St. Andrew's and two from Pacific Christian. Many other youths will be giving individual performances, including Victoria's Got Talent runner-up Jordan Scaife.

Among the adults taking part are Barry Bowman, Forster's husband, Gipp, and well-known Victoria musician Morry Stearns, who has been involved with the concert since its first year.

Forster said the concert lets children know what it's like to help others.

"We're trying to teach our kids they can make a positive difference."

Along with this year's concert, Forster is putting out a challenge to other churches in the city to consider "adopting" one of the schools that needs assistance.

"I just think it would be a good thing if we all stepped up and said, 'Hey, if you need some help, we're here to give it.' "

This year's concert will be held at North Douglas Pentecostal Church, which provides more room than Gateway. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students, and are available at the door or at Gateway Baptist Church.

GARAGE SALE BACK IN GYM

The Harbourside Rotary Club returns to familiar surroundings Feb. 18 for its annual Gigantic Garage Sale, a community event that will raise funds for both local needs and overseas projects.

The sale had to relocate from the Central Middle School gymnasium last year because of a major seismic project at the site, but the project is complete and the big event is back. Proceeds will go to Central Middle School, where Rotary has already helped in the construction of an outdoor basketball court, as well as the Burnside Gorge Community Centre and supplying clean water to villages in South America.

The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and regularly has a line-up waiting to get in before the doors open.

SHOW MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

The 46th annual Variety Show of Hearts Telethon continues today in Vancouver.

Local children with special needs are among those assisted by funds from Variety - The Childen's Charity, which last year saw more than $7 million raised.

Money raised helps children such as five-year-old Savannah Chamberlain of Victoria, who has a severe seizure disorder and other conditions. The $6,300 wheelchair that keeps her comfortable was purchased with the help of Variety.

Another Victoria child helped by Variety is Linden Fortin, who has hearing loss associated with chemotherapy he received for an abdominal tumour. Variety helped with the acquisition of hearing aids, which have made a big difference in the four-year-old's life.

To support the telethon, call 310-KIDS or go to variety.bc.ca. It is being telecast on Global B.C., channel 8, until 6 p.m.

ARTS GRANTS UP FOR GRABS

A bright IDEA can bring a lift from the Capital Regional District.

IDEA stands for Innovate, Develop, Experiment, Access. It is a pilot program created by the CRD Arts Development Office to provide small, flexible grants of $1,500. The grants will be considered for proposals that offer a potential impact within the region.

IDEAS has been established to encourage new arts-related effort through the support of innovation, one-time projects and organizations that don't meet the criteria of other programs.

The next deadline for IDEA grants is March 1 at 4: 30 p.m. Application guidelines are at crd.bc.ca/arts.

jwbell@timescolonist.com