Hamilton, Ont. - The Salvation Army in Hamilton has begun a drive to collect 125 brass and woodwind instruments to give to budding musicians in Hamilton's poorest neighbourhoods...and in Cuba's as well.

The fundraiser is called Esperanza, Spanish for hope. Anyone who has a bass or woodwind instrument to spare is asked to donate them to The Salvation Army at 905-521-1660.

The hope is to reach the 125-instrument goal before Christmas.

Once the goal is reached, half the instruments will be sent to Cuba, says Jennifer Kellner of The Salvation Army. The other half will go to a local neighbourhood in need, yet to be determined.