April 28, 2025
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Princeton community rallies around injured Apollo Theater owner

GoFundMe raises $17,000 in short time

By Kim Shute

Joachim "Jay" Schneider (far left) is pictured here with wife, Lara (far right), and their three children. Jay was injured in a sledding accident on Sunday and is facing a long road to recovery. In the meantime, the Princeton community is ralling around the family who own and operate the Apollo Theater in downtown Princeton. (eyJpdiI6ImpXTCtpeFpqOTZtQko5T3RpVWR3dGc9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiYVpFZVN6OVI0RHRqZ1hpN2pDQVh6bWY3T3czRk9wdGRsdFNLN1dmT2NoUVJZRVJKVGZzbDBUZTgrS3oyRjY0VyIsIm1hYyI6ImFmYjdjNTk2MjFkOTI5OWJjN2NlZTBmMTE5MzMwNTI0MDdkMzRmMzM2MDJhZWFlZmY2MDcyYzY2YzBiOTE0ZTkifQ==)

PRINCETON – A pillar of the Princeton business community is recovering this week from a spinal injury caused by a sledding accident.

Joachim “Jay” Schneider, owner of the Apollo Theater, sustained serious injuries Saturday while sledding with his children in Mark. Wife Lara Schneider said Tuesday that Jay is in the intensive care unit at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, recovering from a surgery to relieve pressure on his spine. From there, he’ll be moved to another wing of the hospital for immediate recovery from the surgery as well as other broken bones and then to a rehab facility, she said.

The Schneider’s youngest daughter had been on the sled with her dad but was uninjured because of his quick thinking: Lara said he was able to rotate and throw her off the sled, avoiding any injury to her.

“He saved our daughter’s life,“ Lara Schneider said.

Theater owners, who’ve seen major adjustments to their business during the pandemic, face a difficult recovery, Lara said. Although she’s asking for privacy concerning the details of the accident and the extent of Jay’s injuries, she says the family of five has a long road ahead of them.

The community has already stepped up, launching a GoFundMe that has raised upwards of $17,000 as of lunchtime Tuesday. Donations also are being collected outside the theater this week and at Downtown Liquidation on Main Street in Princeton.

Jay’s fellow small business owners are rallying as well, with Nick Gorogianis, owner of Barrel Society, donating part of the proceeds of select beer sales and Blue Jay Way records donating a part of proceeds from new album sales.

Community members also started a meal train for the family over the weekend, and volunteers have come forward to help keep the theater’s essential popcorn Fridays going during this time.

To donate, visit the Schneider’s GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=homepage_norma/search&term=jay%20and%20lara%20schneider.

“I am so overwhelmed with our small but enormous-hearted town and appreciative of everything,” Lara Schneider said.