Another great thing for this Christmas season in Harford from a great tradition of service [Editorial]

The contributions that organizations such as the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps, and all the other volunteer fire and EMS companies, make to Harford County are priceless.

Their members see the worst of all us when we need the most help. No matter what they've seen or had to do to save someone, their members are always ready at a moment's notice to go into harm's way to protect the rest of us. And they do all of this while just being regular folks like the rest of us, making our way through life, trying to care for our families.

One of those regular folks came up with a novel idea that other volunteers around him in the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps are fully supporting. Jeremy Mothershed, whose career is with the Harford County Sheriff's Office, saw too many cases of people having packages stolen off their porches during the busy Christmas season.

One thing led to another and the Ambulance Corps announced last week that it is offering its headquarters on Route 155 as a delivery site for busy shoppers buying gifts online.

"We hear all the time that packages are stolen from the front porch of homes all the time," Mark Hemler, of the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps, wrote in an email announcing the program. "The Ambulance Corps is here to try and help make sure that everyone receives their package."

Here's how Ambulance Corps members say it works:

First, when you order a gift, have it addressed to the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps, 1601 Level Road, Havre de Grace, MD, 21078.

Next, track your package online to make sure it has been delivered to the Ambulance Corps.

Finally, stop by the Ambulance Corps Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., to pick up the package, bringing identification matching the name on the package. You can then sign for the package, and it will be on its way to be placed under your Christmas tree, instead in some thief's hands.

This is another terrific thing the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps is doing for the community it serves. We applaud them for doing it and we encourage people to use the free service.