TRENTON – Charles and Mary, husband and wife, are wealthy – not monetarily – but with all of the good things life has to offer. But now, they have some money to go along with those riches. The cheerful couple has been married for over 30 years. They have five children and 10 grandchildren, and another one on the way, with whom they share their love, laughs and warm hugs. They lead rewarding lives. Mary is semi-retired and a full-time grand mom. Charles, a retired truck driver, began a second career working at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. Yes, they are rich with the best that life has to offer and now they have the money to go along with it because they just won $1 million playing Powerball.
“Congratulations to the lucky couple,” Carole Hedinger, New Jersey Lottery executive director stated in a release. “Mary and Charles are like so many of the Lottery winners that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the years. They are hardworking folks that want to live comfortably and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Every winner has a unique story to tell, but typically, they just want some relief from the financial stresses that we all face.”
Charles has been playing Lottery for years. He’s had small wins along the way but nothing like when his ticket matched the five white balls for the May 18 Powerball drawing.
Charles buys his tickets on his way to work at the Villas Market LLC, known as the Blitz Market and Hole in the Wall, at 902 Bayshore Road, Villas. He typically buys two Powerball tickets for the drawing, but on this day he purchased five tickets.
One of Charles’ work tasks is to transport the hot food from the Terminal concession area onto the boats. Lottery is sold at the concession, among other items, where his buddy Hugh is a cashier. Thursday morning began as usual when Charles asked Hugh if anyone won the Powerball jackpot. Hugh responded, “No, but someone won a million dollars on the second prize.” “That was me,” Charles responded playfully as he passed his ticket to his friend. Hugh stood silently, for what seemed like a lifetime, after scanning his friend’s ticket. Finally, he said, “I think you won,” as he passed the File Claim slip across the counter to his friend.
Indeed, it was true. Charles left work to tell Mary the news. They simply could not believe their luck. They came to Lottery headquarters immediately to claim their prize. “Now we don’t have to worry about retirement,” Charles said.
The winning numbers for the May 18 drawing were: 23, 25, 39, 54 and 67. The Red Power Ball number was 11. The Multiplier number was 03. It was Charles’ last purchased Quick Pick ticket that was the winner.
View all New Jersey Lottery game winning numbers and view live drawings for the Pick-3, Pick-4, Jersey Cash 5, Pick-6, CASH4LIFE and 5 Card Cash games on the Lottery website, www.NJLottery.com, or on the official Lottery Facebook Page. Midday and evening draws, with the exception of CASH4LIFE, can be seen on WPIX-TV (PIX11) in New York and WPHL-TV (PHL17) in Philadelphia. Powerball and Mega Millions drawings can be seen on WABC-TV stations.
