2025 marked a record-breaking year for Stone Hill Winery’s Beast Feast,  with the 37th annual fundraiser raising $62,250.78 for Blood Cancer United, once more making the event the largest Blood Cancer United fundraising event in the state of Missouri.

Founded as a tribute to James Richard Held, son of Stone Hill Winery’s President Jon Held, who 

passed away in 1988 at the age of five after a battle with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), the Great Stone Hill Beast Feast has grown steadily over nearly four decades. The event is 

dedicated to raising proceeds for Blood Cancer United, previously known as the Leukemia and 

Lymphoma Society, to support research towards a cure, patient services and treatment initiatives 

for blood cancer patients and their families. With 100 percent of proceeds from the event directly 

donated to Blood Cancer United, this year’s record total reflects the continued strength of that 

mission and the community behind it.

At the time of James’s diagnosis, the five-year survival rate was just 25 percent, a reality that shaped the Held family’s long-term commitment to advancing blood cancer research. That commitment deepened when Jon Held’s father was later diagnosed with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML), a rare form of leukemia affecting older adults. The event stands as an enduring tribute to both James’s legacy and the family’s dedication to the cause. In recognition of Beast Feast’s extraordinary impact, Jon Held was presented with the “Hero Award,” honoring his heroic fundraising efforts to support Blood Cancer United in memory of James Richard Held.

The fundraiser’s success is driven by the combined efforts of Stone Hill Winery staff and the 

wider community. Local hunters contribute wild game that defines the event’s namesake, while 

staff and volunteers dedicate countless hours to planning and executing the fundraiser. Sponsors 

provide critical support that allows the event to continue growing year after year. Together, these 

contributions made this record-setting milestone possible.

“I am amazed and overwhelmed by the incredible generosity shown at our Beast Feast this year,” 

said Jon Held. “Once again, we set a record for Blood Cancer United in Missouri as we work to 

help find cures for these devastating blood cancers. My deepest thanks go out to everyone who 

helped with the event, donated, and attended.”