Throughout Tuesday, volunteers filled the meeting room at CDM Caregiving Services in Vancouver. Holiday music filled the room as they filled bags of gifts of all kinds: coupons, gift cards, blankets, towels, bath bombs, candles and more.

Each gift bag includes everything needed for a day of self-care, something every Clark County caregiver deserves, according to Christina Keys.

Keys is the president of the association I love them forward, an organization dedicated to improving the well-being of local caregivers. On Tuesday, volunteers were packing gift bags for the second annual Caregivers Christmas, a gift giving event hosted by Loving Them Forward and other community organizations.

“Clark County is a place that takes care of its caregivers,” Keys said. “We want them to know that they are seen and heard, valued and loved by so many people in Clark County. They are not invisible to us. And we want them to have a good vacation.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on December 7 at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds.

Gift bags are free for all family, professional and private caregivers. Those interested can register on the Loving Them Forward website until the day of the event.

No two gift bags are the same, Keys says, but each will include a gift card and coupon, along with some handouts to help connect caregivers with local resources.

“There are things in there that are going to make them not feel alone on their trip,” Keys said.

Like last year, the event will be behind the wheel. Participants won’t need to leave their cars, and volunteers will wear masks and social distancing to ensure those caring for immunocompromised patients can always pick up a gift.

About 100 volunteers representing more than 50 community organizations and businesses participated in the organization of the event this year. Most volunteers are current or former caregivers, according to Keys.

Local organizations Elfin Services and Mikey’s House Team-Keller Williams co-hosted the event with Loving Them Forward this year. With their help, among others, the organizers have almost quadrupled their efforts last year: 1,500 gift bags worth $ 50 to $ 100 each will be available, up from 400 last year.

“It has definitely become the biggest caregiver event in Clark County this season, but also one of the biggest non-profit events this season,” Keys said.

Donations came from across the county, said Michael McCafferty, a volunteer with the Mikey’s House team.

“The turnout across the county has been incredible this year,” said McCafferty, taking a short break after carefully loading the items into bags. “I think part of the success of this year is that we have accelerated and gained momentum since July.”

It’s one of the few county-wide events that specifically honors caregivers, according to Keys.

“It’s been a pretty traumatic year for everyone, emotionally, physically and financially, so we just wanted to make sure that as many caregivers as possible could be celebrated this season,” Keys said. “It’s a project that comes from the heart.

Those interested in participating or volunteering at Caregiver Christmas can visit Loving Them Forward’s website, or call 360-524-4344.