TV meteorologist makes 'big' move off screen

SARAOSTA — Meredith Garofalo, a well-known local TV reporter and meteorologist in the Sarasota-Bradenton market, has taken a new position with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.

In her new position as Manatee County community resource director, Garofalo will be “responsible for development of community resources and relationships,” according to a Big Brothers Big Sisters release.

Garofalo was previously the weekend meteorologist and reporter for ABC 7 WWSB in Sarasota-Bradenton, a position she held for two years. A native of Cleveland, Garofalo began her television career at WGN-TV in Chicago. She has also worked for stations in Zanesville and Toledo, Ohio, in addition to Rapid City, S.D.

Garofalo volunteered for the Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter in Zanesville, and she was a Big Sister in Rapid City, according to the release. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, a nonprofit, provides one-to-one mentoring relationships to children ages 6-18 years in 10 counties, including five on the Gulf Coast: Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota. It also serves DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry and Highlands counties.