Million dollar lottery win is just the icing on the cake of life

Drawing Date: 11/4/2014

November 7, 2014 - Some people embrace life for all the sweet goodness each moment has to offer so winning the lottery is just the icing on the cake. That is certainly the case for our latest million dollar Mega Millions winner John Manganiotis from Saddle Brook, N.J. Mr. Manganiotis is a family man who has been working with his son Johnny to help him build a business, Mr. Cupcakes. In their spare time, their efforts are philanthropic in support of two charities, the Children’s Specialized Hospital and Let Them Be Little X2. The Let Them Be Little organization assists children affected by a rare genetic disease commonly known as MPSII or Hunter Syndrome. Manganiotis has pledged that a portion of his win from the Mega Millions draw on Tuesday, November 4, will go to these good causes.

Carole Hedinger, Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery met with John and Johnny to congratulate them. She said, “Life is all about timing.” The men couldn’t agree more. As it turns out, the two were together, unexpectedly. Johnny was running an errand and his Dad came along for the ride. After sitting in the car for a while, John spotted the Richfield Liquor Store, 1362 Clifton Ave., Clifton, and decided to go into the store to buy a few lottery tickets. The two board Mega Millions ticket he purchased netted the big win from this lucky retailer.

The discovery of the win was just as unexpected. Wednesday evening, Johnny was on Facebook and read a news article stating that the winning ticket was sold at the store where his Dad bought his ticket.  The rest, as they say, is history. Manganiotis said, “I wasn’t supposed to be with my son that day, but I ended up going with him. My son tried to have his watch fixed a few days before but was asked to come back.” He was just at the right place at the right time and “all of the stars aligned.

Read more about the winner