MitoSantas
MitoAction Santas bring smiles to the faces of children affected by mitochondrialRelated to the mitochondria. disease and help ease the stress of mito parents during the holiday season!
Bringing smiles to the faces of children affected by mitochondrial disease and easing the stress of parents during the holiday season!
MitoSantas was founded in western New York in 2009 by adults affected by mitochondrial disease and was limited to families of children only in that area. In 2017, MitoSantas partnered with MitoAction to go nationwide and deliver Christmas presents to children across the United States!
Christmas can be a very stressful time for Mito families. Children are often sick and the budget is tight for many parents who have to juggle co-payments, Dr. visits and those extra costs for their kiddos. These kids deserve some extra happiness and their parents deserve some stress relief. That is where MitoSantas comes in! Volunteers from MitoSantas purchase gifts for children 18 and under affected by mitochondrial disease and their siblings ages 16 and under. There is a spending limit of $50 per child. Parents will fill out an application for each child with things they like and their Christmas wishes. Our volunteers then work personally with each family to shop for the gifts on their wishlist! Delivery is arranged on a case by case basis.
Honoring the Heart of MitoSantas: Remembering Jennifer Schwartzoff
MitoAction is deeply honored to continue the MitoSanta program, a cherished tradition founded and lovingly led by Jennifer Schwartzoff. Jennifer was more than the creative force behind MitoSanta; she was its heart. What began as a small effort to bring holiday joy to a few local families grew under her care into a beacon of hope and love for hundreds across the mitochondrial disease community. Through her kindness, compassion, and tireless spirit, Jennifer reminded us all of what it truly means to give.
To the children she served, she was affectionately known as “Santa Jenny.” They eagerly awaited her gifts, cards, and messages each year, not just for the presents she sent, but for the love and joy that came with them. Jennifer made every child feel special, every family seen, and every holiday brighter.
In November 2024, we lost Jennifer, our beloved Santa Jenny, far too soon. Her passing left a profound void in our hearts and across the MitoAction community. Yet even in loss, her legacy of kindness continues to shine. In an extraordinary act of love and dedication, Jennifer’s sister, Michelle, stepped in to ensure the 2024 MitoSanta Program carried on exactly as Jennifer envisioned. Thanks to Michelle’s compassion and commitment, hundreds of families will continue to experience the magic that Jennifer built, a true reflection of sisterhood, service, and the enduring power of love.
Going forward, Michelle will continue to help lead MitoSanta, ensuring that Jennifer’s mission to bring joy, connection, and comfort to families affected by mitochondrial disease continues to grow for years to come.
“Jennifer poured her heart into MitoSanta, creating moments of joy that reached far beyond the holidays. Her love touched every family she served, and her legacy will live on through each child and parent who continues to feel that same magic. Thanks to her sister Michelle’s incredible dedication, MitoSanta will forever carry Jennifer’s spirit, a reflection of her compassion, generosity, and the light she brought to our community.”
— Kira Mann, CEO, MitoAction
In her honor, we dedicate every MitoSanta season to Jennifer Schwartzoff, forever remembered by the families and children who loved her as Santa Jenny, the true spirit of giving.
