On February 9, Annessa Blair of Total Nail Care by Annessa in St. Petersburg, Florida, battled against heart disease the best way she knows how.

Blair’s goal was to build a 336-foot acrylic nail to raise funds for the American Heart Association. She solicited sponsors for each foot completed, and Ace Total Beauty Supply of Largo, Florida, donated the supplies. She exceeded in 4 ½ hours along one wall inside Gateway Mall in St.Petersburg, where she works.

Blair raised $246, all of which was turned over to the American Heart Association. She hopes to raise more next year. Her 1992 goal is a 500-foot artificial nail.

“A lot of people, excepts those in the industry, couldn’t understand what I was doing,” says Blair. “I hope I’ve set It up for next year. I’ll be better known and I can show people photos, newspaper clippings, etc.”

Blair used 9-foot pieces of wood molding as a molding as a mold for the nail. The nail, painted red, was applied to the left thumb of Blair’s aunt, Wilma Powell.