Baltimore ? People around the country are chipping in to help the father of a Marine killed in Iraq after a court ordered him to pay the anti-gay church he’s been battling in court.

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.