With one week left before Christmas, toys are slowly starting to pile up at drop-off locations of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, but volunteers say donations have been scarce this year.

Al Cocco, of Designs by Lee, says the number of toys collected at his store Wednesday does not compare to last year?s yield.

?It?s just hard to imagine any child waking up Christmas morning without a present to open,? Cocco says. ?And I'm afraid that's probably what it's going to be, so we're going to do a little more if we can.?

Cocco says he believes the economic crisis is what is keeping people from being more charitable.

?I think there's so many people who need help,? he says. ?It's hard for them to help someone else when they need help.?

Coordinator of Toys for Tots in Stamford George Ducanic says he still needs about 6,000 to 7,000 toys to fill all the requests. He adds that the greatest need is toys for children between the ages of 6 and 12.

?This part of Fairfield County has been very generous,? Ducanic says. ?Hopefully, they'll dig a little deeper.?

All donations have to be dropped off by Dec. 20.