When Otha Anders arrived at the bank pushing a dolly loaded with heavy water jugs, heads turned. The unmistakable clatter of thousands of pennies inside was impossible to miss.
Anders, a longtime school board supervisor in Jackson, was a familiar figure in his community. He often spent time with students who had been suspended, earning their respect and trust with his steady support. But beyond his professional and family life, Anders had a unique pastime—collecting pennies.
What started as a small habit soon grew into a lifelong devotion. For Anders, each penny was more than just loose change; it was a symbol of gratitude. He believed that finding a penny was a special sign to pause and give thanks. “I came to believe that discovering a lost or dropped penny was a divine nudge reminding me to always be grateful,” he shared in an interview. Over time, he noticed that on days when he forgot to pray, a penny would often appear, serving as a quiet reminder.
