Anders’ unusual hobby began simply enough—collecting pennies he found on the ground. What started as a fun activity gradually became a personal mission rooted in faith. For Anders, each penny represented more than loose change; it symbolized a reminder from God to be grateful. As he explained to USA Today, “I became convinced that spotting a lost or dropped penny was an additional God-given incentive reminding me to always be thankful.” The connection between gratitude and the humble coin shaped his daily life.
Over time, this habit developed into something of an obsession. On days when Anders forgot to pray or slipped into routine, a penny would often appear in his path. He came to see these moments as divine nudges, small but powerful reminders of faith and thankfulness. What many might overlook as insignificant, Anders viewed as a spiritual sign.
For 45 years, Anders faithfully saved every penny he collected. His family and friends often joked about his growing stash, stored in large plastic jugs that filled his home. Over the decades, he began to imagine that he had accumulated hundreds of thousands of dollars. The jars became symbols of his dedication and patience.
When the time finally came to cash in his collection, Anders hauled the heavy jugs to his local bank. Employees worked for more than five hours, cutting open the containers and carefully counting the coins. The final tally surprised everyone: $5,136.14. While it wasn’t the massive fortune Anders had sometimes imagined, it still represented decades of devotion and persistence.
Breaking it down, Anders’ total averaged about $114.40 per year. While the monetary value might not seem extraordinary, the meaning behind the coins was priceless to him. Each penny carried a story, a memory, or a lesson in gratitude that no dollar amount could truly measure.
When deciding how to use the money, Anders remained consistent with his values. He used part of it to pay a dental bill, another portion to sponsor a family trip, and the rest to donate to his church. In doing so, he closed the chapter on a lifelong hobby in the same spirit it began—with gratitude, faith, and a sense of giving back.
