ALLEN PARK — Lions’ right tackle Gosder Cherilus and defensive end Cliff Avril, who both have relatives in Haiti, want to get to the earthquake devastated country as soon as possible to help. But right now both feel they can help more by working the phones from their homes here in the United States to raise money and find help. Both spoke on a conference call to Detroit media members today. 

Cherilus, who was born in Haiti and lived there until he was 14, plans to get there in the next two to three weeks.

“Since last night I talked to my grandmother, she’s doing OK. She left (the United States) about a month ago. Every winter she doesn’t like the cold here so she travels to Haiti to spend the winter there. My brother is over there too. I have cousins, they said we lost the house we were fortunate nobody got hurt. They said the house is pretty messed up, but it didn’t collapse. There are cracks all over the house, but it didn’t collapse thank God,’’ Cherilus said.

“Most of my close family they’re doing good. My grandmother has her cousins’ children — they lost two of them. One of whom she was with her boyfriend, lost her. My cousin’s husband lost both of his legs. We’re still searching for more people,’’  said Cherilus who is raising money through his foundation at gosdercherilusfoundation.com.

Avril’s cousins who lived there were fortunate to survive with just bumps and bruises. Avril and his family had been waiting by the phone at their Jacksonville, Fla., home and finally were able to talk to them on Thursday evening. They are OK for now, but like everyone else there they will need food and water to survive in the upcoming days and weeks.

Lions safety Louis Delmas also has relatives in Haiti.

The Detroit Lions have donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund. The NFL will promote donations to Haiti during this weekend’s playoff games. See redcross.org or text HAITI to 90999.
— PAULA PASCHE