SCHUYLKILL HAVEN -- Robert Squires has always played around with computers as a hobby, but recently he noticed how much his son Zion loved it, too.
Zion is autistic and playing on the computer has helped with everything from hand-eye coordination to social skills.
So, Robert had an idea to turn his hobby of refurbishing computers into something that can help people.
"If I'm going to give them away, it's going to go to the kids that need them and can use them," said Squires.
For more than a year, Squires and his wife have fixed old computers for kids with special needs in Schuylkill County. They do it completely free of charge only asking for a thank you note in return.
"It means I'm helping kids learn. My son is a wiz with computers now. He shows me things I don't know how to do," Squires said,.
The Squires have repaired about 50 computers so far.
He's teamed with the Pennsylvania Elks Home Service which works with people with special needs all over the state.
"The kids really blossomed having this computer, mimicking the words. Some of them use it now for school," Denise Grajewski with PA Elks Home Service said.
Local businesses have helped, too.
Tom's Computer Repair in Pottsville has donated plenty of parts and broken systems.
"It just gives you a warm feeling inside and you say, 'What else can we do?'" said the owner of that shop, Thomas Bowitz.
Right now, a lot of the work is done on computers, but the Squires hope they'll get new donations of laptops since those are easier for the kids to take back and forth to school.
If you'd like to donate an old laptop or any computer parts, you can drop them off at 513 Parkway in Schuylkill Haven or at Tom's Computer Repair at 1715 W Market St in Pottsville.