Thad Anders, a school board supervisor from Jackson, caught the attention of bank employees when he showed up with a dolly full of coins. Anders, along with his family, had spent years collecting pennies as a unique hobby.
For Anders, every penny he found held a special meaning. He explained to USA Today that he began seeing lost or dropped pennies as reminders from God to be thankful. “I started seeing them as God’s reminders to be grateful,” he shared. On days when he forgot to pray, finding a penny was a gentle nudge to reflect on his blessings.
Over the course of 45 years, Anders filled five-gallon water jugs with pennies, believing that each one symbolized something greater. His collection grew to the point where he estimated it was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Bank employees spent five hours opening the jugs and counting the pennies. The final total was $5,136.14, which worked out to about $114.40 per year. Anders was happy to see his years of collecting serve a practical purpose.
The funds from his penny collection were put to good use, helping to pay a dental bill, fund a family vacation, and even make a contribution to his church. Anders was pleased that his hobby not only brought him joy but also served as a way to give back to the people and causes that mattered most to him.
