Lottery Winner Goes Panda To Collect Prize At Howell Store

HOWELL, NJ — The tale of the Howell Jersey Cash 5 lottery winner came full circle this week when the anonymous woman showed up in a panda disguise to visit the store where she bought the lucky ticket.

The woman, who is from the Howell area, won the Jersey Cash 5 $291,224 jackpot in the June 28 drawing.

The store co-owner, Jacki, as she prefers to be called for publication, said last week that having a large jackpot winner was "very exciting" for the store. And the store will receive a bonus check for $2,000 for the winning ticket sold.

Lottery officials were on hand earlier this week to present the huge check to the panda-faced winner, whose costume came complete with a big black and white smile, along with some pastel shades for a feminine look. She chose to remain anonymous.

"This was by far the coolest experience we've had here thus far! We are so excited for our winner. It couldn't have gone to a more awesome human. Congratulations!" Jacki said in a Facebook post for the store.

Jacki and her husband, who asked to not be named, own the Corner Store, as well as the Stewart's Root Beer next door.

The winning numbers June 28 were were: 03, 06, 09, 25 and 36 and the XTRA number was: 03.

"Congratulations to our very fortunate Jersey Cash 5 winner," said New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey said last week.