On Monday January 11th 1999 at 7 pm, during a ceremony for the celebration of New Year at the "Estia Neas Ionias", the President of the Foundation of the Hellenic World Mr Lazaros Efraimoglou was awarded the "Medal of Estia Neas Ionias", a token of honor and gratitude for his contribution to the social and political life of our country. The President of the "Estia Neas Ionias" Mr N. Arnaoutoglou presented in extent the contribution and work of Mr Efraimoglou.

Concurrently the prize money "L. Daoutis" and "Orestis Fliggler" were given to a male and female graduate of the third grade who got a distinction from the high schools of Nea Ionia in the academic year 1997-1998. Similarly, the prize money "K.Karfopoulou" was offered to the graduate of distinction from the Evening Technical Schools at the Municipality of Nea Ionia the same academic year.

The Metropolite of N.Ionias and Philadelpheias and personnalities of the political, scientific and intellectual community honored the event with their presence on a night coloured by the choir of the "Estia".