NAOTMAA - Their Contributions to Russia

Okay, here we go. This may be more than you were asking for, Laura, but what the hey!

The IF gave an enormous amount to Russia throughout Nicholas' reign. This might take the form of outright money contributions (ultimately millions of rubles over the whole period). Or it might take the form of sponsoring some charity or institution or event, at a minimum by granting the use of the Imperial person's name and its resultant prestige. And of course  Imperial  contribution to Russia might take the form of hands- on work or in -person efforts. All seven of NAOTMAA did some of all of the above at some time.
Previous posters have given some examples. Some others: Yes, Olga did lead a wartime committee based in St. Petersburg.I think something to do with soldiers'  families back home. Not sure.

The story is told of a youngish Olga being moved by the sight of a mother with a young crippled child. Olga intervened to pay for full treatment of the child at a clinic with her own funds.

Alexandra established many training institutes and hospitals even before the war. She took a personal interest in them and expected (though not always succeeding) that they would be well run.
One noteworthy example was in the Crimean resort town of Eupatoria. This was a major spa and therapy center where Alexandra for years had established a state of the art sanatorium complex with all the best in current treatment techniques: electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, x-ray machines, mudbaths(!) and massage. At the start of the war,  hospital facilities for 125 officers and 45 lower ranks were created. Alexandra was very interested in this and received a report on the state of things when Nicholas made a personal inspection in May, 1916.

Another major charitable event were the charity bazaars near the waterfront at Yalta. There locals and Alexandra and the children manned tables and booths at which were sold items made or otherwise acquired by the contributors. There A and the children competed to see who could raise the most money for charity. Though it was a fun event for the IF  it was a big revenue-raiser for the beneficiaries. This btw was called "White Flower Day" and many of you may recall the film and photos of OTMAA parading and posing in their finest while carrying shepherd- style staffs with curved flower tops. (Olga looks a little sheepish and Alexei is typically showing off. )

cont..

As the sovereign family NAOTMAA naturally took great interest in the Russian military. Each of them, as part of a long imperial tradition were granted honorary command of a chosen regiment (a colonelcy). This might happen at birth as with Alexei or in her early teens for each of OTMA.
This was a source of great pride and inspiration for the selected regiment as well as for the honorary commander. The honored colonel would have his/her own uniform and regalia and would review the regimental parade on special occasions. Sometimes the Romanov colonel  would pay for the expense of regimental uniform decoration. GD Olga paid 20, 000 rubles to provide her 3rd Elizavetgradski Hussars with distinctive pelisses.

I don't claim that this role as honorary regimental commander was unduly demanding personally, but it required a commitment of the chosen Romanov that he/she took seriously and which contributed to Russian army morale , especially in wartime.

Finally I would point out that Nicholas made a dramatic gesture on behalf of his beloved Russia when he withdrew that part of his enormous personal fortune invested or held in foreign banks or enterprises at the outbreak of  the war in 1914. These vast funds then were applied to the national war effort in all its forms. The total of such funds is not known exactly but it represented a huge contribution.

And of course, through an irony of history, in the end everything they had was returned to Russia, though not intentionally.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Thanks for your input Rodney! There is a Soviet-based individual in one of my classes who can only say the most negative things about NII and his family. (most of which are actually incorrect) I have be counter-arguing with him (not that the IF is perfect, but they certainly didn't eat children for breakfast) and I appreciate your points.

[Mathematic, art and history in ♥]

Sorry for updating, I may add that 'White Flower Festivals' at Livadia in 1912/4, including bazaars made by Tsarina were appropriated for fight against tuberculosis, is is true? Since, I found photo of Tsarevich  'giving white flower to wounded soldier, as a symbol of fight against tuberculosis'.

(I wanted just to learn more about that Flower Festivals made by IF in summer of 1912, at Livadia).

Yes, that's right.

In many books, the captions on photos of the imperial children during White Flower Festivals say that OTMAA are carrying their Brownie box cameras on straps around their neck, but they're actually collection boxes for T.B. donations. ;-)

[Mathematic, art and history in ♥]

Really? I think I saw your one thread about those cameras Livadia photos, but should we start new thread about those festivals with some information, but I think there is thread about Tsarina's bazaars?

 
I think their (OTMA's) helps to peasants at Stavka can be kind of contributions.

[Mathematic, art and history in ♥]

Nicholas II and Church/Schools/Conutry donation:

Since 1894 till 1912, were built up:

211 new men and women Monasteries
7546 new Cathedrals
In 1902 -- new rule about pensions
1901- new comittete for Icon drawing
 In 1908 - new rule for obligate schooling
Till 1913 there were 130.000 schools.

Some of Russian economic statistic during NII regime could be found in 'L' Economiste Europeen' magazine, by Edmon Terry. During 1913, Russia brought biggest agrarian donations, and became one of most powerful countries. I saw statistic in one Documentary, and from 1920 magazine also.

Are thee any places named for their honor after their death (during Communistic times or just after their bodies were discovered)?

[Mathematic, art and history in ♥]

I think there is 'Tsesarevich Aleksei' school somewhere in Russia, from what I have read.  ;-)

Oh, thank you. Sad there's none named for Nicholas, Alexandra, Olga, Tatiana,Maria, and Anastasia.