Ever pause to retrieve a penny that fell to the ground? Even while those little coins might not seem like much, over time they might build up. What if you were able to gather every penny you came across in a month? For a year, perhaps? Otha Anders, though, is a man who elevated it to a new level.

Otha was a Louisianan teacher with an unusual pastime. He started gathering pennies in the latter part of the 1960s. For him, it was just about enjoying the process; money or fortune didn’t matter. Otha refused to accept the government’s offer to pay $125 for each $100 worth of pennies handed in. He loved having his collection.

Why pennies, though? Otha said that every penny was a reminder to say a prayer. He would stop and offer a prayer whenever he came across one whether he was on the ground, in a store, or pumping gas. It turned into a really important ritual for him, a means of expressing thanks to God.