A family in Cottonwood, California, is celebrating after their gas station sold a winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1.22 billion — the fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s history.
The gas station, Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas), is owned by Jaspal Singh’s family, who have run the business for over 20 years. The family was thrilled to hear the news, especially after recovering from a devastating fire that destroyed their store in 2021.
Surprise News Brings Joy
Jaspal’s son, Ishar Gill, who manages the store, was notified by lottery officials late Friday night. At first, he couldn’t believe it.
“I had to read the message two or three times,” Gill said. He then told his wife and father, who were also in disbelief.
The winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the Mega Ball 6.
Family Rewarded for Selling the Ticket
The California Lottery will give the family a reward for selling the winning ticket. Retailers earn 0.5% of the jackpot, up to $1 million, for selling a winning ticket.
A Long Journey After a Fire
The family’s celebration comes after a tough time. In August 2021, a fire destroyed their gas station, forcing them to close for nearly two years. The station reopened in March 2023, marking the end of a long and challenging recovery process.
Supporting Their Community
The Singh family plans to stay in Cottonwood, a small town of about 6,000 people, and give back to their community.
“Thank you for supporting us,” the store shared on Facebook. “Here’s to dreams coming true and to the wonderful people who make Cottonwood so special.”
As for the winner of the $1.22 billion jackpot, their identity remains a mystery. They can choose to take the full amount in annual payments over 29 years or a lump sum of $549.7 million.
