CHICAGO -- U.S. Cellular Field belonged to the boys and girls on Thursday, as the White Sox hosted their annual holiday party.

Designated hitter Jim Thome and left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard catered, tossing hot dogs to a few hundred screaming area Boys and Girls Clubs members. Though the players were the top draw, the event also included face-painting, games and dressed-up jugglers on stilts.

It marked Thome's third year of involvement in the event. Judging by the smile on the slugger's face, it hasn't gotten old.

"It's almost tradition," said Thome, whose son, Landon, celebrated his first birthday in November. "Any time that you see the kids smile, and you see them enjoy it, it kind of puts it all in perspective why you do things like this and why you give your time to come down and help out."

Richard, who is 13 years younger than Thome, related with the partiers. They crowded around him in excitement, probably because of the tray of hot dogs he was about to hand out.

"It's a fun chance to talk to some of the kids and be around kids and see the real excitement of the holiday season," he said.

The kids came from Ninth Police District Kops & Kids, Armour Park, Armour School, Bishop Little, Cotter, King, Logan Square, Logandale, McCormick, General Wood, Park Manor, Union League I and Valentine Clubs. It marked at least the 17th holiday gathering bringing the Sox and Chicagoland children together. Thome and Richard were joined by former Sox greats including Minnie Minoso and Ron Kittle and the club's mascot, Southpaw, who showcased his dance moves.

"It's unbelievable to [the children]," said Jim Keane, the President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago and the only person dressed in a suit and tie for the party. "You can't even put it into words. To them, this is like a dream come true. I heard some of the kids saying, 'I've never been in the stadium before.'"

Like 11-year old Kendall King, who marveled at U.S. Cellular Field for the first time.

"It looks nice, much bigger [than I thought]," he said in between hot dog bites.

Angel Gontarz, also 11, had been to the park 10 times previously, but never got to see players like Thome up close. Angel, who wore his black Thome jersey on Thursday, said the slugger became one of his favorite players when he homered in Game No. 163 against the Twins to put the White Sox in the playoffs.

It's always special when athletes are active in the community during this time of year, but especially during these tough economic times.

"Any time you give back to kids, it means a lot," Thome said. "There is a special feeling about the holidays that puts it in perspective."