Joe Williams Raises Parkinson's Research Funds

The artisan sells handmade reindeer ornaments to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation's ongoing research initiatives.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy

Handmade reindeer ornaments made from metal corkscrews and pipe cleaners arranged on a rustic wooden surface in a workshop. — Joe Williams of Martinsville, Virginia, has raised thousands for the Michael J. Fox Foundation by crafting and selling handmade corkscrew reindeer ornaments. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Joe Williams, a craftsman from Martinsville, Virginia, continues his long-standing fundraising efforts for the Michael J. Fox Foundation by selling handmade corkscrew reindeer. He recently participated in the annual Pancakes for Parkinson's event held at the University of Virginia.

Why it matters

Williams turns to this creative fundraising method to support the search for a cure for Parkinson's disease following his son's 2021 diagnosis. His work highlights how individual contributions can meaningfully support large-scale medical research foundations.

Joe Williams sells each reindeer for $10 and has crafted 7,000 ornaments since 2000. He is currently on track to reach $86,000 in cumulative revenue by May 2027.

The players

Joe Williams

An artisan from Martinsville who creates handmade ornaments to fund Parkinson's disease research.

Michael J. Fox Foundation

A major organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and ensuring the development of improved therapies.

The details

Williams produces his ornaments using corkscrew bodies, pipe cleaner antlers, and basic craft supplies at a rate of three per hour. One supporter, identified as Bill, has purchased 1,850 of these reindeer for a total of $18,500 in donations.

Williams began crafting his signature corkscrew reindeer in 2000.
In 2010, he sold 80 ornaments for $400 at Chateau Morrisette.
The artist's son underwent deep brain stimulation surgery in 2021.
Williams attended the Pancakes for Parkinson's event on October 24, 2026.
He projects reaching a total of $86,000 in revenue by May 2027.

Market Landscape

Grassroots initiatives like these align with the Michael J. Fox Foundation research agenda by providing consistent private funding for scientific efforts. These individual efforts help bridge the gap in resource-heavy medical research sectors that require sustained capital for long-term trials.

Charlottesville residents and visitors can support Parkinson's disease research by purchasing ornaments from local fundraising events like Pancakes for Parkinson's. These donations provide 100 percent of proceeds directly to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

The takeaway

Supporting individual artisans engaged in fundraising provides a direct way for community members to contribute to medical breakthroughs. Those interested in helping can look for similar local charity events that align with personal or medical causes they wish to support.