A Pebble in the Pond

A Pebble in the Pond looks at a nonprofit with roots stretching back more than 125 years, turning archival material and present-day interviews into a portrait of sustained community work. The film follows staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries as they describe programs that have evolved over decades, and it highlights the founding woman's original ideas without turning them into myth. Ann Benson and Abby Shayne appear on camera sharing personal perspectives, while Karis Campbell provides voice narration to connect past and present. The tone stays upbeat, focusing on people and processes rather than scandal or sensationalism, so viewers get a grounded sense of continuity and care.

Directed by Paul Howard and released in 2022, the documentary mixes interviews, historical photographs, and contemporary footage to sketch the nonprofit's development and current activities. The approach is straightforward, aiming to let testimony and documents carry the story.

Critical attention has been limited, and public ratings are sparse, with a 4.5 out of 10 average based on two votes. Reviews suggest the film favors warm reminiscence and practical detail over stylistic flourishes. Themes include community service, institutional memory, and women's leadership in social causes, presented in an accessible, conversational way rather than as an argument.

No widely reported box office figures are available, which suggests the film had a modest theatrical presence or focused on festivals and community screenings. As with many small documentaries, it likely reached viewers through targeted showings and digital or nonprofit channels rather than a broad commercial release.

While A Pebble in the Pond hasn't become a mainstream cultural touchstone, it offers a useful record for people interested in nonprofit history and grassroots social work. By preserving voices across generations and showing how programs adapt over time, the film may resonate with community organizers, historians, and anyone curious about long-term civic effort and the practical impact of sustained charitable work.