Ronald McDonald House helps Yuma locals

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - From working at a local McDonald's almost 20 years ago to turning to the Ronald McDonald House, one Yuma couple shares their story on how they got help from McDonald's after having a micro-preemie baby.

It all started at a McDonald's located at 16th Street and Avenue B back in 2007 where Maria Bautista and Johnny Acosta met and little did they know that one day, they would be turning to the Ronald McDonald House for a helping hand.

"Just being able to be there for him is just an amazing feeling," Bautista expressed.

Last year, at just 25 weeks pregnant, Bautista was flown to Phoenix to give birth to baby Ozzie. He was a micro-preemie weighing only about one pound.

Bautista says being able to have a place to stay to be near their baby lifted a huge weight off their shoulders, given how stressful the experience was.

"And then, not know day-to-day life in the NICU is a struggle as well because they are struggling to live, but then, things can happen," Bautista shared.

While they were able to stay close to Ozzie, they also had to be away from their other kids for about 80 nights.

"It's a moment when, you know, they are fine, but at the same time, they are going to miss you and you miss them…They were more concerned with what is going on, a little more understanding," Acosta said.

Len Gutman with the Ronald McDonald House says that Yuma County is the largest county they serve outside of Maricopa County.

"So far, we have served over 800 families. 861 to be exact and of those families 150 were from the Yuma area," Gutman explained.

Bautista also shared how Ozzie got his name: "I talked to my grandma one day, and then she was like, 'Oh actually that name is the name of your dad's twin brother.' My dad's twin brother passed away shortly after birth and we were like, 'Well, there it is.'"

Ozzie still has a couple of doctors appointments in the future to monitor his growth.