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‘‘You hear a lot of stigma and attitude that people feel motorcycle clubs are nothing but a bunch of gang bangers,” said Gary McClenton, founder of Maryland Stealth Riders, a motorcycle club based in Cheltenham.

Movies stretching back to ‘‘Easy Rider” in 1969 all the way up to ‘‘Torque,” released in 2004, have portrayed bikers and motorcycle clubs as gangs of outlaws.

‘‘We were hesitant about [forming a club] until we met with other clubs,” said Mark Parks, founder of the Maryland Hill Riders Motorcycle Club of Oxon Hill.

Through meetings, Parks discovered clubs could be a way to connect with the local community while establishing camaraderie among local bikers. It also could help change the community’s perception about bikers.

But first, clubs had to convince organizations that they could be trusted as contributors.

The Hill Riders began mentoring troubled students at Oxon Hill Middle School two years ago, but had to hold meetings with school officials, parents and students to explain their intentions before beginning the program.

Charities have been skeptical in the past, said McClenton, who works as a federal police officer. But once his club put in some time — whether at a Habitat for Humanity house-building day or a gift-wrap — he said they have always been invited to return.

‘‘Some people would think there is a stigma associated with biker clubs, but my husband is in one so I know about them,” said Marcia Hart-Wise, founder of My Sister’s Keeper, a nonprofit that worked with the Stealth Riders to raise scholarship funds for local students.

‘‘It’s starting to show that we have hearts,” McClenton said.

Clubs sponsor charities based on club members’ interests. Some pick a pet charity, while others support different organizations from year to year.

The Lady Sport Riders, an all-female club with members from throughout the Washington area, was founded in 1999 and is now an official nonprofit. Carrying nonprofit status has a built-in element of trust that makes it easier to raise funds for the club’s annual college scholarships, said club president Lisa Russell.

‘‘One of the joys we take as motorcycle riders is having the ability to give back to the community we live in,” said Russell, of Waldorf, about the 13-member club.

In a few weeks the Lady Sport Riders will announce the winners of their annual scholarship awards. They expect to give $1,500 scholarships to at least three students from Prince George’s County, but the number of scholarships varies from year to year. This year 25 students applied. The group advertised on scholarship Web sites. The winners would have 200 hours of community service, at least a 2.5 grade point average and posses a financial need.

‘‘Most of us are college graduates so we understand how hard it is to pay for school,” said Russell, who splits her time between her consulting firm, her family and riding her Honda CVR-F3 and her BTX-1300.

When formed four years ago, the Hill Riders were all volunteer firefighters with the Oxon Hill Volunteer Fire Department. The members placed special importance on raising at least $1,000 a year for the Washington Hospital Center’s burn unit. Since their formation they’ve met their goal every year.

Clubs tend to meet for weekly group rides. Fundraisers are usually held about three times a year.

The East Coast Busas held a rally in Forestville on Sunday attracting more than 200 bikers. Throughout the day member Howard Clifton of Waldorf collected donations for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial fund in the District. The group is based in Forestville.

Parks stresses a difference in the mentality behind veteran and newly established clubs.

‘‘The newer clubs are popping up just to wear something on their backs,” Parks said. ‘‘The older clubs are tuned into the community.”

E-mail Andrea Noble at anoble@gazette.net.