Sparkles Hosting Skating Benefit for Brigette on Sunday

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column will be dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family’s bottom line; and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.

This week, Frugal Family reporter Carolyn Cunningham scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on a charity skating benefit, a free kite-flying contest, weekly specials at The Briar Patch Restaurant in Hiram and  two nearby consignment sales:

1. Boogie for Brigette on Sunday

Deal: For $5 each, a benefit skating event for Brigette Barron will be held at Sparkles from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. this Sunday. All of the money raised will go to the Barron family to pay for Brigette's medical bills for her leukemia treatments. With the $5 admission, you may choose skating, laser tag or the PlayZone. You also may bring your own skates or rent from Sparkles for $3.50. This event is being presented in partnership with Paulding Christian and His Forgiving Grace.

On Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., another benefit will be held for Brigette at The Catfish Den Restaurant on Ga. 92 at Bill Carruth Parkway in Hiram.

In January 2010, Brigette, 17, a senior at , was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. To make a contribution to this family, visit any Wells Fargo Bank. The account number is 1010266106876 or e-mail her aunt Patricia Garcia at Patriciaanngarcia@gmail.com.

See more about Brigette and the support she has gotten in .

Location: 4054 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Hiram

Contact: 770-943-4446

2. Free Kite-Flying Contest on Saturday

Deal: The annual free Family Fun Flyers event will be held Saturday at White Oak Park. Sign in for the free 1 p.m. event at 12:30 p.m. You must bring your own kite. Prizes will be awarded to the oldest, youngest and highest flyers and the most unique kite.

Location: 298 Mustang Drive, Dallas

Contact: 770-222-3270

3. Weekly and Web Specials at The Briar Patch Restaurant

Deal: For $6, weekly specials include an entree, a side and a drink. Barbecue, steaks and salads are among the specialties. Web coupons also are available and a drive-thru.

Other specials include Party Patch Specials for five, 10 and 20. For five, for instance, $23.95 pays for 10 chicken tenders, a pint of slaw, a pint of beans, a pint of potato salad, a gallon of tea and paper products.

Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.

Location: 3807 Atlanta Highway at Dallas Highway, Hiram

Contact: 770-445-3737

Good through: ongoing

4. All 4 Kids Children's Consignment Sale

Deal: This sale keeps growing, now taking place in four locations in the spring and fall. The Lawrenceville and Woodstock/Acworth sales already have taken place, but two more Cobb sales are coming up. Clothes, toys, baby equipment, books, bikes, shoes and linens will be among the many choices. More than 600 family sellers are involved in this week's sale. 

Adults who donate $5 cash for missions will be given early admittance at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. No donations are needed for children to enter. General admission will open at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday and last until 7 p.m. Friday's hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday's sale will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. with many items half price on Saturday.

Be sure to bring a laundry basket with a long belt or rope tied to the basket to help carry your items while you shop.  No baskets will be provided. VISA, MasterCard and cash are accepted.

Another way to save is to sign up to volunteer. Some volunteers are paid, and all volunteers get to shop early.

Location: Cobb County Fairgrounds, Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta

Contact: only via e-mail

Good through: Saturday

5. Hope Project Consignment Sale

Deal: This consignment sale in nearby Douglasville will take place Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the ladies of Hope who choose to be a part of this training program in life and job skills to receive a fresh start.

Location: 8366 Grady St., Douglasville

Contact: Kay Wimpey at 770-942-0796

Good through: Saturday