When Jennifer Molski got married, she presented gifts to her friends who had a role in the celebration, including Waterford Crystal vases she gave to her hostesses at the reception.

Years later, one of those friends regifted the vase, but Molski wasn’t upset. Rather, she was tickled, because in the meantime she’d founded an organization that harnessed the concept of regifting to brighten the holiday season for older people who can sometimes feel left out, forgotten and lonely.

Molski has been bringing carloads of yummy treats, attractive scarves, trinkets, perfumes, bath products and decorations to people who live alone or in senior living facilities since she started Leave it for Love in 2003. She recently dropped off a load at Victory Centre in Park Forest, and plans to bring more to that senior apartment complex as they are donated.

“Seniors who live alone and may not have much, they deserve to have little treats,” she said.

The idea dates back to the early 2000s, when Molski was living in a tiny Gold Coast studio and collecting too much stuff.

“I just found myself with a lot of stuff I couldn’t use,” she said. “They were nice gifts but ended up in the closet or storage locker where I wasn’t able to put them to good use. I started to feel guilty about it, so I wanted to come up with a better way to make use of these items.”

Molski had also worked as a social worker for the Council for Jewish Elderly and the Counseling Center of Lakeview, where she helped older adults “age in place.” Some of her clients were referred by Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly network.

“Caring for older adults has always been a passion of mine,” Molski said. “They are living treasures that possess a wealth of knowledge and life experiences. I believe they should be celebrated whenever possible.”

So in 2003, Molski started collecting gifts for Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly for distribution at events like bingo and other gatherings. She recalled one instance where a woman who received lipstick talked about how beautiful it made her feel.

“It just really did something for her spirit,” Molski said.

“What was really special about it is that the gifts were really unique,” said Sheri Gorski, an assistant director for Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly. “And so to find a home in an older friend’s apartment, it’s really sort of special. It wasn’t something we just gave, it was chosen by that older friend.

“They were really excited, they felt honored they got to pick something out for themselves.”

In the years since, Molski has regifted thousands of presents through the organization she founded, Leave it for Love, to organizations such as the Pilsen Area Senior Center, Jones Center in Chicago Heights and others.

This year’s choice of the Victory Centre in Park Forest is a result of Molski’s friendship with Joe Dietz, who lives there. She met Dietz when she worked in guest services at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields hospital, where he was a driver for the facility.

“It’s a really nice senior living facility,” Molski said. “They all look after each other. It just felt right.”

Molski, who lives in Flossmoor with her husband, Tony Manos, and their border collie, delivers the items over the winter holidays, but she accepts regifted presents year round. Items that go over particularly well include toiletries, trinkets, home and holiday décor, jewelry and accessories.

Those who still haven’t figured out what to do with a holiday gift can drop them off through the end of the month at Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave.

Erin Brewer, property manager at Victory Centre, said Molski already brought 75 “very nice” gifts, including chiffon blankets, candles, shower gel, perfumes and socks and flannels. It was a good day for many of the residents.

“They were so excited, they were helping her bring the bags in,” Brewer said. “A lot of them don’t receive anything for Christmas.”

Molski’s giving nature extends well beyond charity, too. She was a full-time caregiver for her mom until she passed away late last year. She and her husband also have a fondness of older, homeless dogs and have taken in their share from shelters, even paying for a lifesaving surgery for one adopted with cancer.

“It’s just the opportunity to kind of bring joy to others and I’m just so grateful for that,” Molski said.

It’s an extension of a lesson she learned long ago.

“My parents, Roger and Marcia, instilled in me that to whom much is given, much will be required,” she said.

Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.