We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lynn Mccollum-lasher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lynn below.
Hi Lynn, thanks for joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
For 25 years, I worked as a home care Physical Therapist with the local hospital system, and during the last seven years of my career, I focused on a small community near my home. One of my most memorable patients was a lovely older woman who I treated five times over two years. Each time she received physical therapy, she made remarkable progress—growing stronger, more confident, and more independent. But each time therapy ended, she would gradually decline, eventually needing another referral.
On her final admission at age 92, I saw the same cycle beginning again, and I knew I had to find a way to break it. She didn’t need more therapy—she needed consistency. She needed someone who could simply meet her at her door and take her for a walk to maintain her strength and engagement. That realization was the spark that led to the creation of Let’s Walk—a non-medical, community-driven program that connects older adults with volunteers for regular walks.
This wonderful woman became our very first participant on September 15, 2021, and she is still walking today—three times a week, up to a mile each time. Now 96, she continues to use her rollator walker, with volunteers assisting her on the steps. Her family is incredibly grateful, crediting her ability to remain independent and live alone to her continued participation in Let’s Walk. Since joining, she has completed an incredible 241 walks with nine different volunteers—and she has not had another hospitalization or major illness in that time.
Her story is a testament to the power of movement, connection, and community. It proves that sometimes, the simplest of actions—like taking a walk—can change a life.
Lynn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I knew that I wanted to be a Physical Therapist since I was 15 years old and took a tour of Grady Hospital in Atlanta. Seeing the therapists working with people in the rehab center was so inspiring! After graduating from UT Southwestern Medical with my PT degree I moved to the Charleston area and found my calling working with seniors as a home care therapist. The work was very rewarding and I was able to make a real difference by serving this group for 25 years. Throughout my career, I saw firsthand how older adults struggled to maintain strength and independence once formal therapy ended. Too often, they would make great progress during treatment, only to decline once discharged—leading to a frustrating cycle of improvement, decline, and readmission. I knew there had to be a better way to help people stay active and engaged beyond the clinical setting.
That realization led me to create Let’s Walk, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults by helping them maintain their well-being through movement, connection, and community support. Let’s Walk is a free, non-medical program that pairs seniors with trained volunteers for regular, structured walks right in their own neighborhoods. We don’t collect any protected health information or operate as a medical service—we simply provide a safe, accessible way for seniors to stay active, reduce isolation, and continue living independently for as long as possible.
Aging shouldn’t mean losing independence, yet for many seniors, it does. Lack of regular physical activity and social interaction can lead to devastating health consequences, including increased fall risk, chronic disease, hospitalization, and cognitive decline. Many older adults are hesitant to walk alone due to safety concerns or mobility challenges, but they don’t need medical intervention—they need a consistent, reliable companion to walk with them. That’s where Let’s Walk comes in.
By offering structured, volunteer-led walking sessions, Let’s Walk helps seniors:
✅ Stay physically strong – Walking regularly helps improve mobility, balance, and endurance.
✅ Remain socially connected – Our volunteers provide companionship, reducing loneliness and fostering meaningful relationships.
✅ Maintain independence – Staying active prevents falls and fosters the ability to remain in the home as long as possible.
✅ Enjoy peace of mind – Families feel reassured knowing their loved ones have a support system to help them stay active and engaged.
What makes Let’s Walk unique is its simplicity, accessibility, and impact. Many programs designed for seniors require transportation, cost money, or involve complex enrollment processes. Let’s Walk removes those barriers—our participants walk from their homes, and the program is entirely free.
We also ensure safety and quality by providing:
✔ Initial safety assessments – Conducted by licensed physical or occupational therapists to verify that the clients are safe to participate and determine how far they can walk, the pace, device required and any obstacles in the community.
✔ Thorough volunteer screening and training – Volunteers are carefully vetted, background checked and trained to provide supportive, engaging walking experiences.
✔ Ongoing tracking and program oversight – Walk frequency and participant feedback help us measure impact and refine our approach.
Since our launch in 2021, we have facilitated over 3,350 walks, serving nearly 200 seniors with the help of more than 225 dedicated volunteers. Our work has already changed lives, and we are actively expanding to bring Let’s Walk to more communities across South Carolina.
One of our success stories:
One of the people that was the inspiration for the creation of Let’s Walk started walking on 9/15/2021. She was relatively young at 61 and was 5 years post-stroke. She was determined to maintain her independence and continue to enjoy her life. She loved getting outside in her vibrant community and remembered everyone’s name and what they would order when she was working at the local McDonald’s. Getting outside and interacting significantly enhanced her quality of life. She also got her 85 year old neighbor started with the program as he would sit outside enjoying the sun but did not ever get any exercise. He was initially reluctant to participate as he suffered with knee pain. After walking just 1 time a week for 4 weeks his knee pain resolved and he now walks 2 x a week with different volunteers and is able to walk to a nearby grocery store where he can get his favorite snacks.
These stories are just two of many, and this is what drives me every day. Let’s Walk is more than just a walking program—it’s a movement that helps people stay strong, connected, and independent.
What I Want People to Know
If you’re looking for a way to support seniors, improve community health, and make a real difference, Let’s Walk is a powerful and simple way to get involved. Whether you’re a potential participant, a volunteer, a donor, or an organization looking to partner with us, there’s a place for you in our mission.
💙 Join Us – If you or a loved one could benefit from Let’s Walk, we’d love to connect you with a volunteer.
🚶 Volunteer – A single walk can change someone’s life. Becoming a volunteer is easy, rewarding, and flexible.
🌟 Support Our Mission – As a nonprofit, we rely on grants and community support to expand our impact. Your contributions help more seniors walk safely, stay healthy, and live independently.
At the end of the day, aging is something we all hope to experience—but staying active and connected is the key to aging well. As our 96 year old walker says, “You just have to keep moving.” And that’s exactly what Let’s Walk is all about.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.letswalk.us.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Building Let’s Walk and establishing a reputation within the community has been a journey of learning, flexibility, and persistence. One of the key factors that has helped build our reputation is the incredible support we’ve received from the local community and from other established nonprofits. These organizations have generously shared their insights and experience, helping us navigate the challenges of creating a service that truly benefits seniors in our area.
From the beginning, we made safety and trust a cornerstone of the program. Volunteers knew they could rely on the fact that every senior was assessed by a licensed therapist to determine their ability to participate and the appropriate walking distance for their safety. On the flip side, seniors had the peace of mind knowing that all volunteers had undergone thorough background checks and completed specialized training. This commitment to safety and quality built a solid foundation of trust for both volunteers and clients, making it easier for them to engage with the program.
Our success also comes from the fact that we’ve been able to offer this service at no cost to participants, which is a direct result of the funding we’ve secured. This has allowed us to expand our reach and serve a wider population without financial barriers, making the program accessible to more seniors in need.
Having provided this service for the past three years, we’ve refined our processes, documented our successes, and learned from our experiences. This has put us in a position to scale our impact and gain further community support as we respond to the growing demand for senior services. It’s this combination of community collaboration, a strong focus on safety, and a commitment to continuous improvement that has helped us build a solid reputation and positioned Let’s Walk for long-term success.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than training and knowledge, passion and authenticity are the most critical elements for success in this field. Truly having a deep passion for serving seniors and improving their well-being has been the driving force behind Let’s Walk. When that passion is shared openly, it becomes contagious—igniting a desire in others to join in and support the mission. Whether it’s volunteers, funders, or community partners, people are drawn to a cause when they can see and feel the genuine commitment behind it.
Equally important is being open, honest, and service-driven. Transparency in our work, clear communication about our goals, and a sincere desire to make a difference have been instrumental in building trust and credibility. The people who help make Let’s Walk possible—whether through funding, volunteering, or participation—see that this is not just a program, but a mission rooted in real care for the individuals we serve. That authenticity is what turns supporters into lifelong advocates.
Another key to success is finding the niche where your personal experiences and skills align with a true community need. My background as a home care Physical Therapist allowed me to recognize a gap in care—seniors who didn’t need more medical treatment, but rather, a consistent way to stay active and engaged. By building Let’s Walk around this specific need, we created a program that truly addresses a problem in a way that no one else was doing.
In the end, success in this field is about more than expertise—it’s about having the heart to serve, the persistence to keep going, and the ability to bring people together around a shared purpose. That’s what has made Let’s Walk thrive, and it’s what will continue to drive its growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.letswalk.us
- Instagram: letswalk.us
- Facebook: letswalk.us
- Linkedin: Let’s Walk
Image Credits
All pictures of participants and permission provided on a waiver signed as entry into the organization.