这不是什么习惯用法或惯用法！这个问题很简单，因为 appeal(呼吁，恳求)是不及物动词，它不能直接后跟宾语。若跟宾语，必须先接介词（通常是to），所以不能说 appeal sb to do sth，而要说 appeal to sb to do sth。如：

I appealed to them to make less noise. 我求他们别那么大声嚷嚷。

He made a personal appeal to the kidnappers to return his child. 他亲自向绑架者发出呼吁，要求他们放他的孩子。

The police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward and talk to them. 警方呼吁知情者举报。