NEGAUNEE — The Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter is hoping for the public’s help to win a substantial grant.

On Wednesday, UPAWS was told it was selected for a Holiday Wishes Award from Petco Foundation, in partnership with Petco, according to a UPAWS press release. The award was given thanks to an adoption story submitted by Kimberly Randolph, about her adopted adventure cat, Ruger.

UPAWS will find out the amount of the initial grant Dec. 5, according to UPAWS Executive Director Kori Tossava. It will range anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000.

Thousands of stories were submitted for the Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes grant and a total of 52 were chosen. UPAWS is the only shelter in the Upper Peninsula chosen and is one of two in Michigan.

As a Holiday Wishes award finalist, UPAWS has the opportunity to earn up to an additional $25,000 — but needs help.

“We need you to vote for us for the People’s Choice Award Competition,” Tossava said in the news release. Voting is free and must be done via Facebook poll.

All 52 winning stories are in the running for the $25,000 People’s Choice Award.

“We need you to vote for us so we can extend our lifesaving power this holiday season and beyond,” Tossava said. “We are encouraging all community members to visit the Petco Foundation’s Facebook Page and vote for UPAWS: Kimberly Randolph’s story titled ‘Adopted Cat has Thirst for Adventure!'”

Votes must be cast directly via the poll on the Petco Foundation’s Facebook page and only one vote per Facebook profile. Voting ends at 6 p.m. ET Dec. 20.

Go to www.upaws.org to read Kimberly’s story and find out how to vote. All of the Holiday Wishes finalist stories can be found at petcofoundation.org/holidaywishes.