BEACHWOOD, N.J. -- A $20 million New Jersey Pick-6 jackpot will be split between 20 relatives in an Ocean County family.
The Endreson family packed the Beachwood Community Center Thursday afternoon.
A lottery spokeswoman says Sigrid Endreson has 16 brothers and sisters who range in age from 53 to 76. She also wants to share it with three children of a brother who died a few years ago.
The ticket was purchased at the 7 Eleven store in Forked River. Sigrid said she couldn't believe it when she checked her numbers.
"I started to cry and I called my sister I told her to come get me! I said 'I don't think I can make it, you got to come get me!"
The Endresons' late mom Flossie used to faithfully play the lottery. After she and her husband died the kids continued buying lottery tickets for the family.
At least three members of this extended family lost their homes during Hurricane Sandy, including John Endreson. He was able to rebuild with help from his brothers, others are still displaced. This lottery jackpot will make a huge difference.
"I just feel so lucky, and then this is just the icing on the cake. I depleted my savings and now things are looking up pretty good thanks to the state of New Jersey and my mom!"
The family has decided to take a lump sum payment of $14 million, which is worth about $10 million after taxes.