APOPKA, Fla., Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The M/I Homes Orlando Division has raised $321,037 in committed donations of labor, materials and supplies through its 2026 Pelotonia Benefit Home campaign, helping fund innovative cancer research while bringing together employees, trade partners and community supporters in a shared effort to end cancer.

The fundraising effort centers on a newly completed benefit home located in the Willow Run community in Apopka. A portion of the proceeds from the eventual sale of the home will support Pelotonia, a nationally recognized nonprofit and cycling event dedicated to accelerating cancer research and breakthrough treatments.

Now in its fifth year supporting the cause, the Orlando team welcomed nearly 100 employees, vendors, partners and local officials to celebrate the completion of the 2026 Benefit Home. The initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact through their homebuilding expertise and passion for investing in causes that directly affect families throughout Central Florida and across the country.

“The support we’ve received from our partners, employees and Orlando community is truly inspiring,” said Brent Bartholomew, area president of the M/I Homes Orlando Division. “Every year, this project demonstrates the power of people coming together around a common purpose. While we are proud of the beautiful home we’ve built, we’re even more proud of the impact these funds will have in advancing critical cancer research and bringing hope to individuals and families facing a cancer diagnosis.”

The campaign also carries special meaning for Robert Reynolds, vice president of land development for the M/I Homes Orlando Division, whose personal experiences with cancer helped fuel both his fundraising efforts and participation in this year’s Pelotonia ride. In 2025, Reynolds lost his mother following a battle with cancer. Just months earlier, his four-year-old nephew had been diagnosed with leukemia. Motivated by their experiences, Reynolds committed to riding 100 miles during the 2026 Pelotonia event in Columbus, Ohio. Through contributions from colleagues, friends, business partners and supporters, Reynolds raised more than $21,000, far surpassing his original stretch goal of $5,000 by more than four times.

“I stand on the foundation my mom set, knowing that she is with me daily and pushing me through the hard days,” said Reynolds. “In my moments of struggle, I look to my nephew, who is an embodiment of strength and an example of how to smile through difficult times. The support from this community has been overwhelming, and I am grateful to work for a company that supports not only its people, but also causes that matter deeply to them.”

The completed benefit home showcases the quality craftsmanship and thoughtful design that define the M/I Homes brand. Located at 3722 Wolves Creek Place within the Willow Run community, the move-in-ready residence features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a three-car garage and 3,486 square feet of living space. Situated approximately 20 miles from downtown Orlando, the community provides residents with convenient access to employment centers, shopping, dining and entertainment while maintaining a neighborhood feel.

The Benefit Home initiative has become an important tradition for M/I Homes, demonstrating how public-private collaboration can create meaningful change. Through donated labor, discounted materials and volunteer support, trade partners and suppliers contribute directly to the campaign’s success, allowing more of the home’s proceeds to advance cancer research.

According to Joe Apgar, CEO of Pelotonia, the continued support from M/I Homes plays a valuable role in helping the organization fund new discoveries and accelerate progress toward improved patient outcomes.

“We greatly value having a generous partner like M/I Homes that has been a long-time supporter of our mission of ending cancer,” said Apgar. “The Orlando team has been involved in raising funds for innovative cancer research for the past five years. Their commitment to making a difference is deeply appreciated by the Pelotonia community and by all those who have been personally impacted by cancer.”

Photos and Multimedia

High-resolution photos and b-roll from the 2026 Pelotonia Benefit Home, community celebration and Robert Reynolds’ fundraising ride are available below:

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here.

About M/I Homes

M/I Homes, Inc., founded in 1976 by Irving and Melvin Schottenstein, is one of the nation’s leading builders of single-family homes, having built over 150,000 homes. The Company’s homes are marketed and sold primarily under the trade names M/I Homes and Showcase Collection (exclusively by M/I Homes) and are currently sold under the name Hans Hagen Homes in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota market. The Company has homebuilding operations in Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan; Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers/Naples and Orlando, Florida; Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; and Nashville, Tennessee. 

About Pelotonia

Pelotonia is a community passionate about ending cancer. Through its signature series of iconic and impactful events featuring cycling, entertainment and volunteerism experiences, the Pelotonia community accelerates funding for innovative cancer research. With support from generous funding partners – American Electric Power Foundation, Bath & Body Works, Huntington National Bank, Peggy & Richard Santulli, Victoria’s Secret, Ariel Corporation, The Haslam 3 Foundation, M/I Homes, Safelite, Abbott Laboratories, Barbasol, Cardinal Health, DHL Supply Chain, Diamond Hill, Nationwide Insurance and Pharmavite – Pelotonia directs 100 percent of every dollar raised by participants to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. To date, the Pelotonia community has raised more than $339 million for innovative cancer research. To learn more about Pelotonia, visit pelotonia.org.

CONTACT: Katie Lundy, Katie@inspireprgroup.com, (614) 353-6476


Primary Logo

Media gallery

About The Author
M/I Homes