Toymaker builds 150 wooden cars, and counting, for Christmas Bureau

In February Don Knowlton started making wooden cars for the Christmas Bureau. He's made more than 150, so far.

Section:Gallery

Thu., Nov. 5, 2020

Don Knowlton stands in front of his collection of soccer team patches representing some of the hundreds of soccer matches he has refereed. Photographed at his Spokane home Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Don Knowlton shows off some of the dozens of wooden truck toys he has built during the pandemic shutdown in his Spokane basement and destined for the Christmas Bureau. He is photographed at his home Oct. 28.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
When spring soccer was canceled, referee Don Knowlton wondered what he would do with his time. He remembered a newspaper article mentioning a shortage of wooden cars at the annual Christmas Bureau, and the rest is history. He has made nearly 200 wooden cars and trucks for the bureau this year.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Don Knowlton stands with some of the dozens of wooden truck toys he has built as a “pandemic project” in his Spokane basement and destined for the Christmas Bureau. Photographed at his Spokane home Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Don Knowlton looks at some of the dozens of wooden truck toys he has built as a “pandemic project” in his Spokane basement and destined for the Christmas Bureau. He admits it makes him feel young as he designs and builds the toys. Photographed at his Spokane home Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo