ATLANTA -- The Holiday Inn green-striped towels have wrapped wet swimsuits, priceless antiques and countless souvenirs. In a pinch, they have also served as diapers, band-aids and security blankets.

True accounts from guests who have "borrowed" the hotel's towels are detailed in a new book.

Proceeds from the book sales will benefit Give Kids The World, a non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses.

"This book is not as much a celebration of the Holiday Inn towel as it is a celebration of the very people who possess them," said Holiday Inn's Mark Snyder.

"The towels are physical reminders of fond and special memories that live on in the hearts and minds of their owners."

Recognizing the towel-borrowing trend as guests' affinity for the beloved brand rather than petty theft, Holiday Inn gave the world a chance to tell its Holiday Inn towel stories by declaring Aug. 28, 2003, "Towel Amnesty Day."

For every towel story shared, Holiday Inn donated and matched $1 to Give Kids The World.

The response was overwhelming as thousands of people wrote to share their experiences.

Of the stories included in the book, topics range from the humorous to the touching.

• "After college I headed west and stayed at Holiday Inns across the country. Knowing at the end of each day's drive a clean room, soft bed and a Holiday Inn towel awaited me. Over the years my Holiday Inn towels have seen me through thick and thin. I arrived in Los Angeles and started working immediately. They were the first towels in my apartment, held roses in the backseat for girlfriends, camped in Sequoia and comforted cats to the vet. Better than Downey; softer than Charmin - I love my Holiday Inn towels. Thanks for the memories." J. Gondek, Saugus, Calif.
• "Ironic our towel was borrowed after leaving Give Kids the World. My daughter had a small medical crisis on the way home. We stayed in a Holiday Inn overnight while awaiting a procedure at a local hospital. Before leaving, I grabbed a towel so my daughter could lay her head down in route to hospital. She loved the feel of it and rubbed it throughout the procedure and it made everything all better. The towel came home with us along with lasting memories of once in a lifetime trip to GKTW." G. Kish, Scranton, Pa.

The book retails for $25.

More Info: Holiday Inn