A little boy. An ultra-rare genetic mutation. And a community rallying together to help save his life.
That’s the story behind Paxton’s Pot of Hope, a St. Patrick’s Day benefit concert coming to Grey Iron Brewing Co. in Menifee on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
The event is more than a night of live music and food trucks. It’s a fundraiser with real stakes: every dollar raised goes directly toward funding a life-saving gene therapy for Paxton Purdy, a young boy living with a CLCN6 genetic mutation (a rare, degenerative brain condition that affects children worldwide).
His parents, Paul and Kristin Purdy, founded the nonprofit Cure CLCN6 to make sure Paxton’s story gets the fight it deserves. Here’s what I learned in my interview with the Purdy family.
What Is CLCN6, and Why Does It Matter?
Paul Purdy (Paxton’s father) explained to me how the CLCN6 gene plays a critical role in brain cell function. When it mutates, the results are devastating. Children with a CLCN6 mutation experience progressive neurodegeneration, a gradual decline in brain function that affects their ability to move, communicate, and live independently. This is exactly what has happened to Paxton.
“He used to be able to walk and run, and feed himself. Now he has to be in a wheelchair, and he has seizures every night.” Kristin Purdy (Paxton’s mother) shared with me. “Despite everything, he is still such a happy little boy, and he inspires me daily,” she continued.
This condition is known as an ultra-rare disease, meaning very few children are diagnosed with it globally, and no existing treatments have been developed specifically for it. That also means pharmaceutical companies have little financial incentive to research it. Families like the Purdys are left to take matters into their own hands.
Paul serves as CEO of Cure CLCN6 and has given presentations on the mutation to students and researchers at UC Riverside, helping raise awareness within the scientific community.
He and Kristin have built the non-profit from the ground up, organizing fundraisers, reaching out to researchers, and doing whatever it takes to keep the mission moving forward.
“We refuse to give up on our son,” Kristin explained. “We have so many events we’ve scheduled, like this benefit concert, to help raise awareness and funding to develop a cure for Paxton.”
A Nonprofit Built on a Parent’s Promise
Cure CLCN6 is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the state of California, which means donations are tax-deductible under U.S. law. But behind those numbers is something far more personal. A mother and father who refused to accept that there was nothing they could do.
The organization is currently working with researchers at UMass Chan Medical School to develop a gene therapy for CLCN6 mutations.
The goal is ambitious, but with an FDA clinical trial anticipated to begin as early as 2027. To get there, critical fundraising must happen first.
Every event Cure CLCN6 organizes, from pizza restaurant fundraisers to community fun centers, moves that timeline closer to reality. Paxton’s Pot of Hope is their biggest event yet!
What to Expect at the Event
Paxton’s Pot of Hope is designed to be a celebration as much as a fundraiser. Grey Iron Brewing Co., located at 29683 New Hub Dr, Menifee, CA 92586, will host a full afternoon and evening of activities for all ages.
Here’s what’s planned:
- 🎶 Live music throughout the event
- 🍕 Food trucks on-site
- 🎨 Kids crafts, face painting, and games
- 🚗 Classic car showcase
- 🛍️ Small community marketplace
- 👖 Lederhosen Best Dressed Contest
- 💵 $10 suggested donation at the door
More activities are still being announced. Whether you’re bringing the whole family or just looking for a meaningful way to spend a Saturday afternoon, there’s something here for everyone.
The $10 suggested door donation keeps the event accessible to the entire community while ensuring every attendee contributes directly to Paxton’s cause. If you’d like to give more, donations to Cure CLCN6 can also be made online at gofund.me/ca17aeea.
Why This Event Hits Close to Home
For Menifee residents, this isn’t just a community charity event. It’s a family asking their neighbors to stand with them. Paul and Krirstin Purdy have poured their energy, time, and love into building a movement (one they call Paxton’s Pioneers) to fund research that could change everything for their son and for every child diagnosed with a CLCN6 mutation.
Pictures of Paxton before his condition progressed tell a story that words can’t fully capture. The Cure CLCN6 website describes them plainly, “photos of what he was once capable of doing independently, used as motivation to keep pushing toward a treatment and, one day, a cure.”
That’s the weight behind this event. And it’s why showing up matters.
How You Can Help
Attending Paxton’s Pot of Hope is the most direct way to get involved, but there are other ways to support the cause:
- Donate online: Visit cureclcn6.org or the GoFundMe page at gofund.me/ca17aeea
- Venmo: @Cure_CLCN6_Inc
- Spread the word: Share the event with friends, neighbors, and on social media using #PaxtonsPioneers
- Follow along: Stay updated on Cure CLCN6’s progress on Instagram @paxtons_pioneers and YouTube @cureclcn6
For full event details and to RSVP, visit the Facebook event page for Paxton’s Pot of Hope Benefit Concert.
A Community That Shows Up
Menifee has always been a city defined by its families and people. This March 7th, Grey Iron Brewing Co. will be a place where that community spirit shows up in a big way. With live music, good food, and a shared purpose that goes far beyond the evening itself.
The Purdy family has done the hard work of building a path toward a cure. The next step is simply showing up and helping them walk it.
Paxton’s Pot of Hope
When: Saturday, March 7th, 2026 | 3–10 PM
Where: Grey Iron Brewing Co., 29683 New Hub Dr, Menifee, CA 92586
Suggested Donation: $10 suggested donation at the door.
