Have you ever bent down to pick up a penny that fell to the ground? It might not seem like much, but those small coins can add up over time. Now, imagine collecting every penny you came across for an entire month or even a year. Otha Anders, a man from Louisiana, took this simple act to an entirely new level.

Otha, a schoolteacher, started collecting pennies in the late 1960s. His hobby wasn’t driven by the desire to amass a fortune; instead, he enjoyed the process itself. Even when the government offered $125 for every $100 worth of pennies turned in, Otha declined. His collection meant more to him than just its monetary value.

But why pennies? For Otha, each penny served as a personal reminder to say a prayer. Whenever he spotted one—whether on the ground, in a store, or while fueling his car—he would pause, pick it up, and offer a prayer. Over time, this became a meaningful ritual, a way for him to express gratitude and stay connected to his faith.