Loads of Smiles opens second location in Flagler

Ormond Beach Observer
News

When Loads of Smiles first opened in South Daytona, there were three children in their care. Fast-forward two years and the day treatment center for medically complex children is currently at capacity with 50 children, has a growing wait list and is about to open their second location in Flagler Beach.

Christine Belz with one of the many kids she watches over (Courtesy photo)

"There's always a need," said owner and Ormond Beach resident Christine Belz.

"One of our biggest challenges has been getting our name out to the community," Belz's sister and faculty administrator Sandy Cornelius said. "There are not a lot of facilities like ours, and we'll be the only one in Flagler."

Since the two sisters opened Loads of Smiles in 2013, in honor of Belz's son, they're learning how to treat each family and child with unique care and to continue living by their mission statement, which is: "Through the endearing spirit of my special son, Zachary, we will ensure the brightest future possible for all children we serve. We will strive to optimize each child's potential and provide him
or her with the highest quality of life possible through caring and nurturing hands."

"It's very rewarding to see the growth of the children," Cornelius said. "The goal is always for them to get better and be able to move on, but in reality that doesn't happen with all the children. Some of them will be here until they are 21."

"Every child and family member come with a unique challenge," Belz said. "But we have a mission state and we live by it."

Though working with your sister could come with its own unique set of challenges, the two ladies said that it's easier than they thought.

"It's never challenging," Belz said. "We both see eye-to-eye a lot. My weakness are her strengths."

The Flagler location opened Nov. 17 and is currently taking care of three children. The ladies will host a open house at that location from 3 to 6 p.m., Jan. 15.

Zachary's 'Loads of Smiles'

Christine Belz's son, Zachary Belz, was born with cystic fibrosis in 1998. For the the first two and a half years of his life, he had been on a ventilator. When he was finally free of the machine and able to come out of his bedfroom, he would still tense up and have trouble breathing.

One day, Christine Belz took him into the laundry room, and he seemed to be soothed. She figured out that the hum of the washing machine took the place of the ventilator and monitor that Zachary had lived with throughout most of his young life. After a while, Zachary associated Tide detergent, his mother’s brand, with the feeling of security. He would carry an empty bottle around the house and seemed comforted.

After double lung surgery, Zachary died in 2008. For the funeral, Belz designed T-Shirts for everyone to wear that were similar to the Tide’s logo. Centered on the shirt was Zachary’s picture, and the logo read “Loads of Smiles.”