BALTIMORE — People around the country are chipping in to help the father of a Marine killed in Iraq

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Albert Snyder of York, Pa., is suing the Westboro Baptist Church, whose members picketed the funeral of Snyder's son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder. The Topeka, Kan.-based church contends that U.S. military deaths are God's punishment for tolerance of homosexuality. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on the case.

Meanwhile, an appeals court has ordered Snyder to pay $16,510 in appeal costs to Westboro founder Fred Phelps.

Snyder tells The Baltimore Sun he's received about 3,000 e-mails from people who planned to contribute to the payment. The American Legion is also asking people to donate.

"I was appalled," said Sally Giannini, a 72-year-old retired bookkeeper from Spokane, Wash., who had called The Baltimore Sun after seeing an article about the court decision against Albert Snyder. "I believe in free speech, but this goes too far."

Snyder sued Westboro because its members waved signs saying "God hates fags" and "God hates the USA" at the 2006 funeral in Westminster of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who had been killed in Iraq. A federal jury in Baltimore awarded Snyder $11 million in damages in 2007, saying Phelps' group intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the family. The award was later reduced to $5 million, and eventually overturned on appeal.

As news of the order to pay some of the court costs spread through the news media and online, strangers were moved to send money and set up funds to support Snyder's court battle. Tuesday night, commentator Bill O'Reilly of Fox News Channel offered to pay the court costs owed by Snyder, according to WBAL Radio.

Mark C. Seavey, new-media director for the American Legion, also posted a message Tuesday on his Legion-affiliated blog, The Burn Pit, urging readers to donate to the Albert Snyder Fund. The American Legion's message was picked up by conservative political blogger Michelle Malkin, who called the Westboro protesters "evil miscreants" and urged readers to donate.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Snyder said he was "exhausted" by the long legal ordeal but heartened by the outpouring of support. He said he has received about 3,000 e-mail messages from people across the country who planned to contribute.

"It kind of restores your faith in mankind after dealing with this wacko church," Snyder said. "Win or lose, I'll know that I did everything I could for Matt, and for all the soldiers and Marines who are still coming home dying."