SIDNEY, Ohio — Some people walk past people who are homeless and in need, and maybe even pretend not to see them, but that’s not the case for Emma Cotterman.

“To her, I don’t think she ever saw them as undesirable," explained Emma's mom, Sherrie Cotterman. "To her, they matter just as much as me, you, her, anyone. They matter just as much simply because they’re people. And regardless of their circumstance, they have a soul and they matter.”

Sherrie said that one night, seven months ago, she realized Emma, 11, was up to something.

“I picked Emma’s phone up and it went straight to a GoFundMe page,” she said.

It was called, "Help the Homeless." Emma was only asking for $30 because in her mind, that would make all the difference for the homeless community in Sidney, which is north of Dayton. Emma was also trying to do it all on her own without her mom’s help. 

“For as small of town as we are, we have a significant homeless problem," Sherrie said. "She had the idea to put bags together with toiletries, but also a Bible, that their life could be different.”

Sherrie said the mission actually took her by surprise because Emma is incredibly shy, and was even so during an interview with Spectrum News.

“Here she is so shy, but she wants to reach out to random strangers," Sherrie said proudly. "But I’m not surprised because she has the kindest heart and the most loving heart.”

After giving into some help from mom and the rest of the family, Emma has now raised more than $1,200. With it, they buy all sorts of things to go into bags of love for the homeless.

“A bottle of water, some food that doesn’t have to be prepared, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, a Bible,” Sherrie said, listing off some of the supplies. 

“I know there was one dude, he was super happy about the blanket because it was cold out,” Emma said.

As if the fifth-grade student isn’t selfless enough, all of her future plans involve helping others. 

Her first goal is to go to medical school and then to join mission work to provide medical help to people in need in foreign countries. 

Then, she wants to attend veterinary school, so she can provide free spay and neuter operations to animals in need.

In between, or in her free time, Emma wants to street preach or just concentrate more on helping others. 

Emma said she’s been inspired to do good from things she’s seen on TikTok, and she hopes her mission will inspire other people through Ohio and beyond. 

“If you, like, help one person that could be really big to that one person,” she said. 

“That’s what makes her so beautiful because to her, why wouldn’t everyone be doing this,” Sherrie added. 

Emma hopes other people around Ohio carry on this mission in their communities. Those wishing to help Emma may donate on her GoFundMe page.