Image Credit: Courtesy Image from publicly available video on social media
Los Angeles, CA: Cottonwood, a small town in California’s Shasta County, gained national attention after a local Circle K convenience store sold a ticket tied to a $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot on December 27.
The store’s owners, Jaspal Singh and his son Ishar Gill, have a story of resilience that resonates far beyond their community.
Key Facts:
- The store, Sunshine Food and Gas, reopened in March 2023 after being destroyed in a fire in 2021.
- The jackpot, among the largest in U.S. history, brought attention to the tight-knit town of 6,000 residents.
- The family remains committed to reinvesting in their community despite their newfound recognition.
The Singh family faced significant challenges after a fire completely destroyed their business in August 2021.
Their determination led to a reopening nearly two years later, showcasing the perseverance of small-town entrepreneurs.
Upon hearing about the Mega Millions ticket linked to their store, Ishar Gill, the store’s director of operations, shared, “I had to read it two, three times. I told my wife, and then we ran to my dad’s room to tell him. He asked, ‘Are you guys sure? Did we really win?’”
While the identity of the jackpot winner remains unknown, the Singh family plans to use the store’s share of the winnings, capped at $1 million, to support the Cottonwood community.
Their hope is to shine a spotlight on their town and its remarkable resilience.
This event has highlighted the strong bond between the family and their town, proving that perseverance and dedication can pave the way for inspiring stories that uplift communities.