Honoring a Legacy of Service: Steve Sarantopoulos
Honoring a Legacy of Service: Paula Sarantopoulos Joins Habitat Calaveras’ Home Team in Memory of Her Husband, Steve Sarantopoulos
For Paula Sarantopoulos, joining The Home Team, Habitat for Humanity Calaveras’ monthly giving program, was more than just a donation. It was an act of love, remembrance, and a tribute to a life lived in service. Her monthly gift is made in honor of her late husband, Steve Sarantopoulos, a man whose legacy is woven deeply into the fabric of Habitat for Humanity.
“After surviving Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in his 20s,” Paula shared, “my late husband, Steve Sarantopoulos, gained a new perspective that profoundly changed him and his outlook on life for the rest of his 62 years. No longer was each day a ‘given,’ and he quietly and humbly set out to be a helper in our Nevada County community.”
And help he did—wholeheartedly and without fanfare. A civil engineer by trade, Steve brought both his professional skills and servant’s heart to every role he stepped into. He was a longtime member and President of the Rotary Club of Grass Valley, a Boy Scout leader who helped shape young lives, and a tireless champion of affordable housing. His deep connection to Habitat for Humanity Nevada County was one of his proudest contributions. Steve served on the board of directors for two terms, managed the ReStore in Grass Valley, and was a vital force behind the scenes as the affiliate’s Construction Program Manager.
“Steve sincerely valued the mission of Habitat for Humanity,” Paula said. “Before we moved to Angels Camp, he enjoyed managing Habitat’s giant ReStore warehouse in Grass Valley. I’m certain he would have found joy in contributing in various ways to our local Habitat here in Calaveras.”
Sadly, Steve passed away shortly after the couple relocated to Calaveras County, before he had the chance to bring his talents and spirit of service to Habitat Calaveras. But Paula is determined to keep his legacy alive in their new community.
“Supporting Calaveras County Habitat for Humanity is one of the best ways I can think of to honor my sweet husband,” she said, “and to care for the community we chose to live in.”
Steve’s impact is still felt far beyond Nevada County. Debbie Arakel, now Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity California, once led the affiliate in Nevada County and worked closely with Steve during his years of service.
“Steve Sarantopoulos was an amazing mentor, service leader, and caring friend,” Arakel shared. “I first met Steve at a local Engineer’s Association ‘lunch & learn’ where I was presenting on our Habitat home development and trying to recruit board members. After the session, he made a beeline to me and said he’d love to serve if needed. Little did I know then that he was the rare type of person who embodied true service.”
Arakel recalls how Steve operated from a simple but powerful mindset: “What is needed, and how can I help fill that gap?”
“He just got on with stuff,” she added. “He was the real deal. With immense character, integrity, capability, humor, and heaps of kindness, Steve showed up—for me as the executive director, for the board, for the staff, volunteers, and for the entire community. I still draw from the encouragement and sage guidance he offered, and I’m grateful for the many years I had the honor of knowing, learning from, and serving Habitat with Steve.”
Now, through Paula’s monthly support of Habitat Calaveras, Steve continues to show up for a new community. As part of The Home Team, Paula’s contribution helps build safe, affordable homes and strengthens the mission her husband so deeply believed in.
To Paula, it’s more than giving back—it’s carrying Steve’s legacy forward, one month at a time.
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Honoring a Legacy of Service: Steve Sarantopoulos
Honoring a Legacy of Service: Paula Sarantopoulos Joins Habitat Calaveras’ Home Team in Memory of Her Husband, Steve Sarantopoulos
For Paula Sarantopoulos, joining The Home Team, Habitat for Humanity Calaveras’ monthly giving program, was more than just a donation. It was an act of love, remembrance, and a tribute to a life lived in service. Her monthly gift is made in honor of her late husband, Steve Sarantopoulos, a man whose legacy is woven deeply into the fabric of Habitat for Humanity.
“After surviving Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in his 20s,” Paula shared, “my late husband, Steve Sarantopoulos, gained a new perspective that profoundly changed him and his outlook on life for the rest of his 62 years. No longer was each day a ‘given,’ and he quietly and humbly set out to be a helper in our Nevada County community.”
And help he did—wholeheartedly and without fanfare. A civil engineer by trade, Steve brought both his professional skills and servant’s heart to every role he stepped into. He was a longtime member and President of the Rotary Club of Grass Valley, a Boy Scout leader who helped shape young lives, and a tireless champion of affordable housing. His deep connection to Habitat for Humanity Nevada County was one of his proudest contributions. Steve served on the board of directors for two terms, managed the ReStore in Grass Valley, and was a vital force behind the scenes as the affiliate’s Construction Program Manager.
“Steve sincerely valued the mission of Habitat for Humanity,” Paula said. “Before we moved to Angels Camp, he enjoyed managing Habitat’s giant ReStore warehouse in Grass Valley. I’m certain he would have found joy in contributing in various ways to our local Habitat here in Calaveras.”
Sadly, Steve passed away shortly after the couple relocated to Calaveras County, before he had the chance to bring his talents and spirit of service to Habitat Calaveras. But Paula is determined to keep his legacy alive in their new community.
“Supporting Calaveras County Habitat for Humanity is one of the best ways I can think of to honor my sweet husband,” she said, “and to care for the community we chose to live in.”
Steve’s impact is still felt far beyond Nevada County. Debbie Arakel, now Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity California, once led the affiliate in Nevada County and worked closely with Steve during his years of service.
“Steve Sarantopoulos was an amazing mentor, service leader, and caring friend,” Arakel shared. “I first met Steve at a local Engineer’s Association ‘lunch & learn’ where I was presenting on our Habitat home development and trying to recruit board members. After the session, he made a beeline to me and said he’d love to serve if needed. Little did I know then that he was the rare type of person who embodied true service.”
Arakel recalls how Steve operated from a simple but powerful mindset: “What is needed, and how can I help fill that gap?”
“He just got on with stuff,” she added. “He was the real deal. With immense character, integrity, capability, humor, and heaps of kindness, Steve showed up—for me as the executive director, for the board, for the staff, volunteers, and for the entire community. I still draw from the encouragement and sage guidance he offered, and I’m grateful for the many years I had the honor of knowing, learning from, and serving Habitat with Steve.”
Now, through Paula’s monthly support of Habitat Calaveras, Steve continues to show up for a new community. As part of The Home Team, Paula’s contribution helps build safe, affordable homes and strengthens the mission her husband so deeply believed in.
To Paula, it’s more than giving back—it’s carrying Steve’s legacy forward, one month at a time.
Would you like to give a gift in honor or memory of a loved one? Click Here.
CONTACT INFORMATION
ADMINISTRATION
SUBSCRIBE
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE UPCOMING EVENT NOTIFICATIONS.
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.
