(Columbia) - At the South Carolina State Guard headquarters, there's a stash of gifts that could put Santa's sleigh to shame. Lined neatly throughout the armory are hundreds of boxes headed to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We care about them regardless of whether we can see them, and it's just a little token of our appreciation for what they're doing to help protect our freedom," said General Eli Wishart, Commander of the South Carolina State Guard.

Throughout the morning, guard members passed, packed and stacked boxes--all in an effort to put presents under the tree for soldiers overseas.

While the guard has hundreds of boxes ready to ship, there's just one problem. The guard has more packages than shipping money.

"They don't have this stuff over there and they're needing this stuff. Of course, they're having to improvise, and it's the simple things like toothbrushes they need," said Sgt. Maj. Clinton Parnell.

For now, the guard is shipping what it can afford. But there's one simple Christmas wish in the back of each members' mind: To find the money needed to ship several hundred more boxes.

"It'll give them the incentive to stay in there and work harder knowing they've gotten support," Sgt. Maj. Parnell said.

At the same time, it will prove to those fighting overseas that--this year--Santa's elves come clad in camoflauge.

The guard wants to give to anyone in the armed forces with ties to South Carolina. If you know of someone who would like to receive a gift box, or if you'd like to help pay some of the shipping costs, you can call Gen. Eli Wishart at 803-806-4238.

Addie Bradshaw, Reporter