The top three Jersey Cash 5 jackpots for 2016 thus far were life changing for each of the winners. With more than two months left in the year, millions more in cash prizes will be won playing the game. In the meanwhile, let’s celebrate our top winners and their stories.
Jorge Alejandro from Jersey City took the top prize of $1,256,093 from the May 12 draw. This young man was working as a clerk in the Jefry Supermarket, 102 Ocean Ave., Jersey City in Hudson County.
This was also the Lottery retailer at which he bought the game ticket. His future changed when he hit the jackpot because now he’s the owner of that store and working hard every day to make it a success. Jorge continues to work hand-in-hand with his prior boss and will do so until the previous owner is ready to retire. It’s heart-warming to see good things happen to good people.
On August 5, the Jersey Cash 5 jackpot rose to $1,225,505. That is when Gaetano Di Staulo from Englewood Cliffs in Bergen County decided to try his luck and buy some tickets. He purchased 10 game boards from the HK Circle Mini Mart, 411 E. Madison Ave. in Dumont. The financial windfall came at a time when it was greatly needed in his life.
Lastly, on September 10 the jackpot rose to $1,114,664. That is when Tamara Hee from Nanuet decided to take a chance. She has been working two jobs since her previous full time employer transitioned staff to part-time and eliminated healthcare benefits. With that, Tamara, an accountant by day, had to take on a second job as a deli clerk to make ends meet.
As luck would have it, she bought the winning ticket at the Foodtown where she works, 216 Old Tappan Rd., Old Tappan in Bergen County. What will she do with the winnings? “Buy health insurance coverage for themselves,” put her two sons through college, and “maybe one little warm vacation,” she said.