For most children, Christmas is a magical morning filled with lots of toys straight from Santa's sleigh. But for some, the scene is much more grim.

CASTLE, the Treasure Coast's leading child abuse education and prevention program that services 3,000 area families and 11,000 individuals, hopes to brighten the holiday season for children whose families have been plagued by poverty. The agency's annual toy drive is in full swing and is accepting donations through Monday, agency representatives said.

"Christmas is such a commercialized time. Everywhere you look, there's so much excitement, toys and decorations," the nonprofit's executive director, Theresa Garbarino-May said. "It's the one day of the year that all children should feel the same happiness. We want our children to have the same opportunity."

While donations are at a record low because of a faltering economy, officials are optimistic the drive will garner the 3,000 gifts it needs to distribute to 500 families in need on the Treasure Coast.

"We are so grateful to the people in our community who donate and help us year after year. Our community always rallies behind us to make the drive a success," Garbarino-May said. "But this year, the state of the economy has impacted how much people can give, and we're not even half way to our goal. We are asking anyone who can donate even one item, to please help."

The children in the program are ages newborn to 17. Some have experienced abuse or neglect, witnessed domestic violence or are going through the trials of divorce. They need everything from clothing, learning toys, nursery items, MP3 players, bedding and blankets, books, baby dolls, toy cars, trucks and board games that can be played as a family.

CASTLE also needs larger items like bicycles, tricycles, skateboards and scooters. This year, the greatest need is for infants and teenagers, as donations are low for the two age groups, officials said. All items must be new and unwrapped. Cash donations are welcome and all gifts are tax deductible, officials added.

"It would make a world of difference for these less fortunate kids to wake up on Christmas morning to presents under the tree from Santa," Garbarino-May said.

Drop-off locations by county

Indian River County: SunTrust banks on 43rd Avenue and U.S. 1; Marine Bank & Trust on Beachland Boulevard; PNC banks on 20th Street and State Road A1A; True Colors Salon and Spa; Vero Beach Magazine.

St. Lucie County: Rosslow's Women's Apparel; Pineapple Joe's; Hilton Garden Inn PGA Village; Gold's Gym; Old Navy in Tradition; Post Insurance; Super Play; Ray's Pantry; Nature's Way Health Club; Presutti's Italian Subs; State Farm Insurance on Sunrise Boulevard; St. Lucie Lanes.

Martin County: BB&T on High Meadows Avenue and Southeast Federal Highway; Wallace Jeep; Plato's Closet; Napa Auto Parts on Southeast Federal Highway; GXR 4X4 Stoney's; Learning Express Toys; Cove Center Chiropractic; Planet Fitness; Rosalind's Uptown Fitness. On Hutchinson Island, drop toys off at Empress; Claridge by the Sea; Island Club, Miramar Royale; Oceana North 1; Cap's Island Grille.

CASTLE is also accepting toys and monetary donations at their facilities. Addresses for CASTLE are 1275 Old Dixie Highway in Vero Beach; 3525 W. Midway Road in Fort Pierce; and 3824 S.E. Dixie Highway in Stuart.

For a complete list of drop off locations, visit CASTLE's website at http://www.castletc.org/.

Deadline for dropping off items is Dec. 20.