WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In recognition of South Carolina's early placement on the Democratic Party's presidential nominating calendar, five White House hopefuls opened their campaign wallets Wednesday night to help the state party raise $150,000 for the January 2008 primary.

"The people of South Carolina are on the national stage," Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, told the crowd in brief remarks at a reception in the nation's capital. "South Carolina will help pick the next president."

Clinton and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, were the only two candidates to address the Washington, DC fundraiser; however all five candidates who ponied up at least the $10,000 required to help sponsor the event were invited to speak.

"You may be sick of us by the end," said Dodd, acknowledging the amount of time and attention all of the candidates will pay to South Carolina given its significant African-American population and its status as the second Democratic primary contest of the '08 season.

As of now South Carolina is scheduled to hold its primary on January 29th - the first primary after New Hampshire.

Unlike most states, the South Carolina Democratic Party must pay for its primary, an event party officials estimate will cost at least $350,000. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, former Sen. John Edwards, D-North Carolina, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson also made cash contributions to the Democratic state party for this fundraising event.