Ted and Yvonne Lappas recently made a generous donation to Haywood Community College as part of an effort to raise money for the college’s Regional Model Child Development Center.

The Regional Model Child Development Center will replace the current HCC childcare center and will have expanded care facilities for infants. The Center will also have evening hours to accommodate parents who work the second shift.

“An investment in quality childcare today will pay off tomorrow in lower crime rates,” Ted Lappas said. “Give [children] a good foundation and they will have a head-start in school and ultimately in life.”

The Lappas’ interest in the college was first sparked by two of their good friends and long-time benefactors of the college, John T. Beaty and his wife, Catherine. Ted and Yvonne Lappas first contributed to an HCC scholarship fund that was established in memory of John Beaty. Ted Lappas supports the community in many ways. He serves on boards for REACH of Haywood County, a domestic violence agency; CCD-Center for Craft Creativity and Design, (a regional craft consortium), and the Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation.

“This community could not exist without the benefits generated by HCC,” Lappas said. “Everyone is touched in some way by the college and its graduates. You can’t go to a doctor’s office or get your car fixed without running into an HCC graduate. It is an impressive college and we are proud to be associated with it.”

HCC Interim President Donald Stanton expressed appreciation for the Lappas’ gift.

“Without contributions from individuals such as Mr. and Mrs. Lappas,” Stanton said, “the Center never would become a reality. We are very grateful for their generous support.