Aberdeen rallies around laid off diner workers with 'Grinch fund'

ABERDEEN, Wash. — A regular customer at a shuttered Aberdeen diner that left 12 workers out of work has successfully led a fundraiser that collected nearly $17,000 to help them out.

Glenn Ludwig launched the "Grinch fund" after learning that the 12 workers at his favorite diner — America's Diner — were left jobless and without a paycheck since before Thanksgiving.

KXRO reports that he collected nearly $17,000, and $13,700 of that was collected Wednesday in front of the former diner on Heron St.

Ludwig says they will first use the excess to help a diner employee who was fired for reporting the owner to the state Labor and Industries department when he failed to pay workers.

Any other leftover money will be donated to another local charity.