In a heartwarming turn of events, a family-owned gas station in Cottonwood, California, became a beacon of fortune after selling a $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot ticket—one of the largest in history. The win, announced Friday night, marked a significant milestone for Jaspal Singh and his family, owners of the Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas), as they continue to rebuild from a devastating fire that razed their business three years ago.
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A Moment of Disbelief
The Singh family has owned the Circle K for over two decades, serving the 6,000-strong Cottonwood community, about 146 miles north of Sacramento. Ishar Gill, the store’s Director of Operations, received the life-changing news from lottery officials around 9:30 p.m. local time.
“I had to read it two, three times,” Gill shared with KRCR. “I told my wife, and then we ran over to my dad’s room and told him. He asked, ‘Are you guys sure? Did we really win?’”
By 11:30 p.m., the family had official confirmation that their store had sold the winning ticket, making them eligible for a retailer incentive bonus of one-half of one percent of the jackpot, up to $1 million.
A Community Connection
The winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the Mega Ball number 6. The identity of the jackpot winner remains unknown, as does the exact day the ticket was sold.
The family expressed immense gratitude to their customers. “To our amazing community—thank you for supporting us and making us part of your daily lives. Whether it’s for gas, snacks, or just a friendly hello, you all mean the world to us,” they wrote on Facebook.
The store’s newfound fortune arrives at a time of healing and recovery for the Singhs. In August 2021, a fire engulfed and destroyed their gas station, forcing its closure for nearly two years. After a challenging rebuilding process, the Circle K reopened in March 2023.
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A Message of Resilience
The store’s reward isn’t just financial. It’s a testament to resilience, community spirit, and perseverance. “Everybody knows about it. Everybody’s excited,” Gill said, adding that the family intends to give back to the Cottonwood community that supported them during tough times.
One local resident, Christina, offered her own advice to the family: “I hope you live the rest of your life in peace and happiness, just ride off into the sunset, forget this Podunk town.”
The Road Ahead for the Winner
As for the lucky ticket holder, they face a choice between receiving the $1.22 billion jackpot in annual installments over 29 years or opting for a one-time lump sum of approximately $549.7 million.
The Singh family’s story serves as a reminder of the power of hope, the strength of community, and the surprises life can bring. “Here’s to dreams coming true, and to the wonderful people who make Cottonwood so special,” the family wrote, ending their message on an uplifting note.
From the ashes of tragedy to the fortune of a lifetime, the Circle K in Cottonwood is now more than a local landmark—it’s a symbol of enduring hope and resilience.
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