The owners of a California gas station that sold a $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot ticket are reflecting on their incredible luck and resilience after rebuilding their business following a devastating fire three years ago. The Singh family, who have owned the Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas) in Cottonwood, California, for over two decades, received the life-changing news shortly after the drawing.
The Big News Hits Home
Jaspal Singh’s son, Ishar Gill, who serves as the store’s Director of Operations, learned about the store’s luck from lottery officials at 9:30 p.m. local time. Initially skeptical, Gill took a moment to process the news before sharing it with his family.
“I had to read it two, three times,” Gill told local news outlet KRCR. “I told my wife, and then we ran over to my dad’s room and told him, and he’s like, ‘Are you guys sure? Did we really win?’”
The family’s excitement was shared by their small community of Cottonwood, located about 146 miles north of Sacramento. “Everybody knows about it. Everybody’s excited,” Gill added.
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The Winning Ticket
The winning numbers for the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot in history were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the gold Mega Ball of 6. Gill received final confirmation from lottery officials at 11:30 p.m. and was informed that representatives would visit the store on Saturday to finalize details.
A Reward for the Retailers
For selling the winning ticket, the Singh family will receive a retailer incentive from the California Lottery. Retailers earn one-half of one percent of the jackpot amount, up to a maximum of $1 million. Although the family doesn’t know the identity of the lucky ticketholder or when the ticket was sold, they are thrilled to have played a small part in someone’s life-changing moment.
Jackpot Winner’s Options
The unidentified winner has two choices: receive the full $1.22 billion jackpot in annual installments over 29 years or opt for a one-time lump sum payment estimated at $549.7 million.
Resilience Amid Challenges
The Singh family’s joy is especially poignant considering the challenges they’ve faced. Three years ago, a devastating fire struck their store, but they rebuilt with determination and continued to serve their community.
Community Reactions
The announcement has sparked excitement and advice from locals. Christina, a Shasta County resident, encouraged the family to take advantage of their financial windfall. “Way to do it, man,” she said. “I hope you live the rest of your life in peace and happiness, just ride off into the sunset, forget this Podunk town.”
A Bright Future
With their share of the lottery proceeds and a newfound sense of pride, the Singh family is poised for a brighter future. Their story is a testament to resilience and the power of luck, even after enduring hardship.
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